Words, so simple, yet are the most powerful ways of communication. The weight of words is one of most impactful themes in Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief, and is felt throughout the entire novel. The Book Thief is a story that takes place during World War II, and follows the Hubermann family and friendships as the Narrator: Death follows them through their journey of Germany in 1939. Hans Hubermann is one of the greatest supporters of words right next to the Book Thief herself, Liesel Meminger. Words are emphasized through stolen books, spoken conversations, and thoughts of the characters. Hans Hubermann backs Liesel’s desire to read through many long nights, protects Max Vandenburg while in hiding, and consistently stands up against the dehumanization …show more content…
of the Jewish people. Hans Hubermann is the tall, gentle, silver eyed foster father of Liesel Meminger, who aided in her development into the elderly woman she grew to be. Throughout this novel Hans Hubermann has shown compassion to others when there was none. When Liesel arrived at the Hubermann home, Liesel felt completely and utterly alone. Hans was the only person who immediately made Liesel feel safe and loved. Due to the lack of children in the Hubermann household, Hans’ paternal instincts were amplified toward Liesel. Every night when Liesel woke from a nightmare, Hans would distract her by teaching her how to read, Hans says, “To tell you the truth, Papa explained upfront, I am not such a good reader myself”( Zusak 65). Although Hans states that he is not the most skilled reader, he is passionate about teaching Liesel how to read the book that she keeps as a souvenir of the family she no longer has. Hans is famous for his cigarettes. These cigarettes are in a way, a symbol of his generosity, he sold them to be able to buy books for Liesel, and while he was at war, he would share his cigarettes that he won with the other players when no one else did. Hans’ actions seemed to always benefit others, he put other people in front of himself and this drew people to him. In this novel, Hans Hubermann acts a relief character, as he tends to remain static. Rosa said laughing,” What the hell could you teach her? Like you could read so much, you Saukerl” (70). While taking Rosa Hubermann’s offensive “saukerl” remarks and comments about his lifestyle, Hans does not change who he is or what he does. Hans remains loyal, sweet, gentle, and calm throughout this novel, even when the pressures of Germany, and family become difficult. Loyalty is another characteristic of Hans Hubermann that is accentuated in The Book Thief. Hans has a desire to help those who cannot help themselves, such as Liesel and more predominantly, Max Vandenburg. When Max, the son of his friend Erik Vandenburg, came knocking on his door, he invited him into their home even though Max was a Jew. Hans put his whole family at risk by letting Max live with them as Jews during this time were treated like animals. Hans is known for his upbeat playing of the accordion, given to him by Erik Vandenburg. When Max walked into the Hubermann home Max asked, “Do you still play the accordion?” (Zusak 173), because it was his father who taught Hans how to play. Death states that, “A Jew had once saved his life and he couldn’t forget that” (180). It was Hans’ loyalty to Erik, who saved his life during World War 1, that he decided to allow Max into their home. This Accordion that Hans acquired after Erik died, is a symbol of the time he beat death and to keep Erik alive through his music. Jews were subject to extreme dehumanization throughout history, however it was during World War II that was significantly worse.
Hans Hubermann was directly described as a lover of Jews, because he did not believe that Jews were being treated fairly, in fact they were treated as less than animals being whipped, malnourished, and forced to work in harsh conditions. Hans treated Jewish people just like everyone else, he showed fairness to everyone, death said, “ He was a man who appreciated fairness” (Zusak 180). He put his life on the line many times trying to stand up for Jews. When there was a parade of Jews walking down the street, the brave Hans Hubermann tried to give one of the Jews a piece of bread, and instead of being applauded for this good deed he he got a flaming whip on his back. Even though Hans was whipped, death said, “If nothing else, the old man would die like a human. Or at least the thought that he was a human” (395). Hans was very secretive about his life during World War I, so without knowing the story about how Erik Vandenburg saved Hans’ life, one would not understand just how much equality and fairness meant to Hans. It was Hans’ fairness, generosity, and loyalty that made Hans different from all of the other characters in The Book Thief, as he remained the same while true to
himself. While The Book Thief has many dynamic and static characters, Hans Hubermann is the character that leaves the most impact on the book. Hans was able to make relationships of gold through his generosity. Hans always put others needs before his own, if given the chance to save a life but put his family at risk, he would. He never strayed from being the static character everyone knows and loves as being the noble, gentle and calm silver eyed Hans Hubermann.
The book had so much power to it. One day, on Himmel street, the town had to get out and go to the shelter. All of the people who lived on Himmel Street were scared because there was a chance their street could get blown up by a bomb. Courageous Liesel pulled out the book, The Whistler. Liesel was sitting in the shelter and started to read the book out loud. “By page three, everyone was silent but Liesel” (Zusask 381) Liesel trapped all of the people's nervous and scared selfs to herself calm voice. The book was a power of silence. The common theme that connects the book Liesel has stolen is that the each book tell a chunk of her
In The Book Thief, author Markus Zusak tells the tragic story of Liesel Meminger and her experiences in 1939 Nazi Germany. Zuzak incorporates compelling literary devices such as toe curling foreshadowing, personification, and vivid imagery in the form of simile and metaphors to grasp the readers’ interest. Zusak’s use of various literary devices helps to deepen the text and morals of the story, and makes the dramatic historical novel nearly impossible to put down.
Hans supports the Jewish community, who are viewed as ‘undesirables subhumans’ by society. The ethical values which Hans holds are apparent in the way he treats starving and helpless Jews traveling through Molching, “The Jew stood before him, expecting another handful of derision, but he watched with everyone else as Hans Hubermann held his hand out and presented a piece of bread” (Zusak 395). As a consequence of rejecting societal expectations and ideologies, the character Hans Hubermann solidifies the notion that every individual deserves basic human respect. Therefore, Hans develops a love for humanity and the individual he is helping through refusing to obey corrupt societal expectations. Aiding those who are injured is a gateway to love as it changes the world for the individual one is
Society teaches that everyone is equal; however, between 1933 and 1945, the Nazi party deemed Jews inferior. Some people agreed with the party, other silently rebelled. Either way, in 12 years around 6 million Jews were systematically murdered. One person who silently rebelled was Hans Huberman. In “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak, Hans Huberman’s compassionate actions and beliefs are influenced by the Nazi party’s treatment of Jews.
Belonging is being accepted by a group of community that relate together by a common factor. A sense of belonging is not just dictated by yourself and your own values and beliefs but also by the ideas and values held by others. I believe that people can choose not to belong to a certain community due to the fact that they may not agree to other people values and beliefs. The Book Thief follows a German girl named Liesel Meminger, abandoned by her mother, she is sent to live with foster parents. The text is set in Nazi Germany during the WWII era. Through the text we follow her living in war times and experience her realisation to the true nature of the German people. At Rainbows End follows an Aboriginal family living in racist times in Australia. We are shown the way of life these people have to endure and how it feels to have a government who doesn’t care about your existence. (Reword)
Another bit of Liesel emotions that I was interested was the book thief words give Liesel life
In modern times, it is assumed that a child with a proper upbringing and diligent parents will grow to become society’s epitome of a perfect citizen. In The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, the development of human nature is explored as well as how experiences, relationships, and environment affect them. Rudy Steiner, a main character in the novel, represents someone who is raised to adhere to Nazi propaganda yet does not because of his experiences. On the other end, Max Vandenburg demonstrates a character who is raised to believe he is a scourge on German society but remains good because of his relationships. Lastly, Hans Junior is an example of someone whose humanity is influenced by
The novel The Book Thief is a book about a young girl by the name of Liesel Meminger. Observing the life of this young girl is not easy as this is the time of Hitler’s reign in Germany. In a short period of time, this girl faces many difficulties. More than any child should ever have to encounter. She has to deal with being abandoned by her mother, the death of her younger brother, and relocation to another part of Germany. Immediately when Liesel arrives to Molching, her life is forever changed. She is forced to live with two strangers, now her new mama and papa. Liesel faces much abuse both at school and at home. At school she is made fun of for her illiteracy and at home, mama speaks very rudely to her calling her a swine and other insults.
Towards friends and neighbours, Hans aids all of those that need it. After Mr. Kleinmann’s clothing store was vandalized, Death, the narrator, observed,“In sloppy lettering, the words JEWISH FILTH were spilling over at their edges.[...]Hans moved closer and stuck his head inside. “Do you need some help?” Mr. Kleinmann looked up.[...] “No, Hans. Please. Go away.” Hans had painted Joel Kleinmann’s house the previous year. He remembered his three children. He could see their faces but couldn’t recall their names. “I will come tomorrow,” he said, “and repaint your door”(181). Despite not knowing them very well, Hans still offers help towards those who have nothing, even if it may affect his own financial situation. As women who had nothing would come up to Hans and ask him to paint their blinds black, he said, ““Frau Hallah, I’m sorry, I have no black paint left,” he would say, but a little farther down the road, he would always break. There was tall man and long street. “Tomorrow,” he’d promise, “first thing,” and when the next morning dawned, there he was, painting those blinds for nothing, or for a cookie or a warm cup of tea”(354). Even though it was against the values of WWII Germany’s society, Hans still felt the need to help anyone, even if they were Jewish. “Papa reached into his paint cart and pulled something out. [...] The Jew stood before him, expecting another handful of
In the novel The Book Thief, setting and point of view affect the theme and book a lot. The point of view of this novel is third person omniscient and a little bit of second and first person when the narrator talks about himself or to the reader. The setting of the story is Nazi Germany and it is based on a young girl named Liesel Meminger and what her life was like during this time. Her story is told by the narrator, death. Mark Zusak, the author, uses setting and point of view to express the theme of the novel because there was so much death happening, Liesel encountered him so many times, causing him to be able to tell her story; without this setting and the narrator, the theme story would have been different.
Throughout time, children have read stories of brave knights, running into battle with their swords ready to defeat the invader. They have read tales of everyday girls turning into princesses by kissing a frog or wearing a glass slipper. Also, some of these stories contain accounts of historically poignant moments. For example, the novel The Book Thief written by Markus Zusak takes place during World War II. It gives a lasting impression on what this time was like for everyday people and the impacts the war had on them. The author does this through the many storytelling elements incorporated into the book. Also, Zusak displays how people respond to changes within their lives during these taxing times. For instance, the main character, Liesel
1) Hans Hubermann has been a prominent character throughout the story that has proven to deflect all Nazi propaganda influencing the oppression of Jews. “Immaculate handwriting, sir, immaculate” (Zusak 178). These were the simple words that saved Hans’ life in a brutal war, spoken by his good friend who spread joy with his accordion, and who just happened to be a Jew. He owed his life to the Jew that volunteered his hand. Deep into Adolf Hitler’s reign, it became a recurring event for thousands of Jews to march through Himmel Street, right in sight of the Hubermann house. Hans’ true sympathy for Jews overcame his judgment, as he handed a weary Jew a piece of bread, risking not only his security, but his loving wife and daughter and the Jew he had managed to hide in his basement. The 1937 Hitler Youth booklet asserts, “Then we will clearly recognize the vast difference between those of German blood and the Jews, although their physical characteristics might otherwise suggest that they were both members of the same human grouping.” Hans had defied every belief written into this booklet, viewing Jews as equals,
The novel The Book Thief written by Markus Zusak, takes place during World War 2 in the town of Molching, Germany. The protagonist, Liesel Meminger, lives with a foster family, the Hubermann's, and has a deep love for literature. However, at the time, books are hard to come by so Liesel is forced to steal books from Nazi book burnings and the Mayor’s library. Liesel’s reading allows her to escape from the trying times of the war to the imaginary worlds of books. However, Liesel as Liesel matures, she discovers that books and words can not only be used for good, but for evil as well. The books that Liesel discovers throughout the novel directly contribute to Liesel’s growth as a human being and come to define her morals for life.
We watch death explore the beauty and ugliness of the human race in Markus Zusak’s book The Book Thief. We watch as Liesel, Hans, and Rosa do everything they can to help out a group of people who were treated with such disrespect during this time period. This group, the Jews, were beaten for taking food that was given to them, and when they died no one would even care. But, these few people gave them food, a place to hide, a sense of belonging, and and a reason to live. They have to work day and night, and do everything they can. Even though people aren’t so beautiful at all times, there is still hope. As we have learned in this book that even when 99 percent of humans aren’t so marvelous there is still that one percent that is to delightful that it would touch anyones heart.
As time evolves, so do the words that are essential for our everyday survival. The most obvious difference between humans and animals is our ability to master the art of speech. Often, people will say the “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”, a simple nursery rhyme that helps ease a bullied child from abusive words and taunts. But does that really help cure the emotional pain? Words can illuminate and motivate the minds of people but can also shadow their self-esteem through psychological trauma. In The Book Thief, we see how fundamental words were to shape the reality of millions of people caught in the fire of World War II.