Examples Of Human Nature In The Book Thief

Experiences, Relationships, and Environment Define Humanity

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

their environment, since he grows up in Nazi Germany and is showered with propaganda. Therefore, Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief demonstrates that human nature is reliant on a person’s experiences, relationships, and environment through the character development of Rudy, Hans Junior, and Max.
Rudy Steiner is raised in an environment that pressures him to follow Nazi ideology, but his experiences transform his humanity. One of his first experiences with Nazi influence in his life is when he is scolded by his father for pretending to be Jesse Owens, “‘I just wish I was like Jesse Owens, Papa.’ This time, Mr, Steiner placed his hand on Rudy’s head and explained, ‘I know, son - but you’ve got beautiful blond hair and big, safe blue eyes. You should be happy with that...’”(Zusak, 60). This experience changes Rudy because it earns him a reputation in his community for being sympathetic to African Americans and because as he grows he obtains a greater knowledge of why his society views that action as wrong. Furthermore, later in Rudy’s life, he is placed in Franz Deutscher’s Hitler Youth Group, and their enmity creates an immense impact on Rudy’s development. “Eventually, it was the opportunity to join a different division that swayed Rudy in the right direction… and there was no Franz Deutscher.”(Zusak, 299). His dislike for Deutscher causes him to not want to attend the Hitler Youth meetings, and that rebelliousness saves Rudy from being swept under the propaganda and brainwashing those groups bring. Finally, a hatred for Hitler is sparked in Rudy when his father is sent to war because he refuses to send Rudy to a special school for aryans. “‘I’m going to find him.’ ‘Your papa?’ ‘Yes.’ he thought about it. ‘Actually, no. I think I’ll find the Führer instead .... because I want to kill him.’”. His father leaving him makes Rudy realize that he does not stand by Nazi beliefs and, in his anger, makes him want to kill Hitler. Rudy’s experiences produce a hatred of Hitler, demonstrating that personal experiences can influence one’s humanity.
Growing up, Max Vandenburg has to cope with the fact that he is hated by his environment and is thought to be a cancer to his society, yet his humanity remains intact because of his relationships. His relationship with his childhood friend, Walter Kugler, shows him that the victims of the Third Reich are not the only ones who are capable of seeing its injustice and evil. “‘Jesus,’ Walter said one evening… ‘That was a time, wasn’t it? There was none of this craziness around.’”(Zusak, 192) . Walter’s ability to see past his anti-semitic surroundings and his willingness to help Max demonstrates to him that there is still goodness in the people around him, and that goodness helps him maintain his humanity. In addition, when Max meets Hans Hubermann, he is astounded by his unconditional gentleness and kindness. Max feels incredibly guilty for endangering the Hubermanns and, at one point is exclaiming “‘I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry, I’m-!’ His arm touched the fire and he snapped it back. They all watched him, silent, until Papa stood and walked closer. He sat next to him. ‘Did you burn your elbow?’”(Zusak, 218). Hans’ deep caring for Max and his humble heroism is evident to Max from the moment he enters 33 Himmel Street. Lastly, Max and Liesel share a relationship through their mutual misfortune brought by Hitler. Liesel inspires Max to write his thoughts into a book for her “...that was the moment he conceived the next body of work for his sketchbook. The Word Shaker… He must have watched her literally handing out the words.”(Zusak, 383). Liesel brightens Max’s life with updates from the outside world and, to him, she becomes someone who understands the power of Hitler’s words just as much as him, which he demonstrates by writing The Word Shaker. Max knows he is hated by his country his whole life, but he retains his humanity with the help his relationships.
Hans Junior’s humanity and morals are greatly affected by his environment that moulds him to support Hitler and his beliefs.

Hans Jr. is raised in Germany during an economic crisis, so he is one among many who is desperate for change and a strong leader. “In the opinion of Hans Junior, his father was part of an old, decrepit Germany - one that allowed everyone else to take it for the proverbial ride while its own people suffered.”(Zusak, 104). Since Hans Junior grows up in a desperate time period, messages of change and restoring Germany to its former glory are pounced on, and that desperation is a large factor in the development of his beliefs. However, Hans Junior’s willingness to create change in his country comes at the detriment to his familial relationships. When confronted with the fact that his father does not follow Nazi ideology, he says “It’s pathetic how a man can stand by and do nothing as a whole nation cleans out the garbage and makes itself great.”(Zusak, 105). His environment leads him to believe that anyone that does not actively help the Nazi movement is a coward for not pursuing greatness under the new regime. As a result of his actions and decisions, Hans is guided into joining the army. “I heard your son was there. In Russia. I ran into someone else from Molching and they told me.”(Zusak, 467). From this, it can be assumed that he is influenced by his environment to make decisions that he otherwise would not have, such as joining the army and fighting for Germany. Hans Junior is bombarded with messages and propaganda his entire life from his environment, and that causes him to take steps for his own future and creating what he thinks is a better Germany, but through his efforts, he only loses his

humanity.
Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief explores human nature and how it is affected by experiences, relationships, and environment using characters such as Rudy, Max, and Hans Junior. Rudy grows up with Nazi propaganda and should grow to be a perfect Nazi supporter, but he opposes them because of his experiences and what they teach him. Max is viewed as evil and scum, yet he retains his humanity with help from his relations and what they show him about humanity. Hans Junior is raised knowing his chance for a successful future is slim, but his environment carries him into making decisions that cause him to lose his humanity and forget his morals. Humanity is easily altered by experiences, relationships, and environment, but it is much harder in modern life to brand each other as good or evil as can be done while looking back at Nazi Germany because it is evident that humans are more complex than it is often realized, and they cannot be categorized or branded with ease.