Analysis Of Tragedy In The Book Thief By Mark Zusak

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The Medicine Of A Tragedy

The domino effect. Once one event starts, it triggers the next, then the next and then the next. It started with Liesel’s brother, Werner dying and it ended with death taking multiple innocent souls. The Book Thief by Mark Zusak is a novel written from the perspective of death during the Nazi war, where we learn what the life of a foster child, Liesel Meminger is like. In Zusak’s The Book Thief, we learn how courage is important especially in the heart of a tragedy. Being in a tragedy is one thing, but the courage to make the situation good is another. In the novel The Book Thief, Markus Zusak clearly demonstrates that even in the heart of a tragedy, good is still possible with the support of the community, the loyalty …show more content…

During the raids and bomb threats on Himmel Street, Liesel read a book to the community to calm them down and make good from a chaotic situation. Liesel read The Whistler and eventually, everyone became dead silent to listen to her: “By page three, everyone was silent but Liesel. She didn’t dare to look up, but she could feel their frightened eyes hanging on to her as she hauled the words in and breathed them out”(381). While Liesel was reading to the community’s “frightened eyes”, the community came together and calmed down as they “hung on to her as she hauled the words” as Liesel read. The coming together of Himmel Street’s community proves that even in the heart of a tragedy, good is still possible with the support of each other. As well, during Liesel’s frightening first days on Himmel Street, the community comes together and helps her fit in by letting her join in the Himmel Street soccer games: “A few days after Liesel’s first bath, Mama allowed her out, to play with the other kids. On Himmel Street, friendships were made outside, no matter the weather”(47). “Also. they conducted their favourite pastime, like professionals, on the street. Soccer. Teams were well set. Garbage cans were used to mark out the goals”(47). Liesel still manages to have fun and make “friendships” with the

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