Hans Huberman Death

List of Characters

1) Narrator: The Narrator of this story is Death. He tells us what Nazi, Germany was like during World War II through the eyes of Liesel Meminger. Death has a dark wry sense of humor and seems to be sardonic. He is not cold hearted like we believe him to be, he is simply just doing his job. Death even feels sorrow for the souls he takes and believes that some do not deserve to die, this shows that Death can produce real feelings. Even though this is Liesel’s story, Death gives us readers’ insight to understand how everything is connected. To distract himself from all the souls he takes, Death takes joy in seeing the colors of the sky.

2) Liesel Meminger: At the beginning of the story Liesel a nine year old on a

train going to Mulching, Germany. On the train ride there her brother dies and at his burial, Liesel steals her first book even though she is unable to read. Liesel is described as having the ideal German blonde hair but has dangerous brown eyes. Liesel constantly has nightmares about her brother’s death but Hans helps calm her and teaches her to read when she awakes from her dreams. Soon Liesel finds comfort in words and shares with other people like Max Vandenburg. She becomes best friends with Rudy Steiner. Liesel is a relatable character because she has experienced loss and pain, which most people have gone through. As time goes on Liesel starts to see the Führer for what he really is and that he is not a real hero. She also realizes that she can influnce people with the words she reads.

3) Max Vandenburg: Max is a twenty-three year old Jew who is introduce in the middle of the story and hides in the Hubermans’ basement. He is skinny with dark hair which described to be like feathers. When Max was a kid his father, Erik Vandenburg, is killed in World War I while protecting Hans Huberman. Max grew up as a fist fighter and met his closet friend in one his fights. Guilt consumes Max because he is going to safety while he leaves his family behind in potential danger. At first Max is wary of Liesel because she is a kid and kids have big mouths but they quickly become close friends. Max makes two books for Liesel that describe their friendship and their lives in Nazi, Germany.

4) Hans Huberman: Hans Huberman is a German man who is married to Rosa Huberman, has two kids, and is Liesel’s foster father.

Hans fought in World War I where he met Jewish Man, Erik Vandenburg, who also saved his life. Hans is a house painter and is able to play the accordion. Hans has two great traits, bravery and compassion. They are great to have but are unwelcomed during this time period. For example, Hans paints over the Jewish slurs and is punished by not being accepted into the Nazi party which is supposed to benefit his family. Another example, is when he gives bread to a Jew marching to Dachau, Hans is then accepted into the party and is shipped off to

war.

5) Rosa Huberman: Rosa Huberman is a strict woman married to Hans Huberman. Even though she is strict it is obvious that she loves both Hans and Liesel. Rose loves to curse and her favorite word is saukurl and saumensh which means pig. To get some money she does the ironing and laundry of her neighbors but she gets laid off by them as time goes on. Rosa believes she can cook but according Liesel and Hans her soup is awful. She is described as a good person for a crisis because she keeps the household together during difficult and scary times. Her cold interior break when she cares for Max and when Hans has to leave for the war.

6) Rudy Steiner: Rudy Steiner is Liesel’s best friend.

He is the youngest of six children and often very hungry because his dad’s business is running low. Rudy enjoys to steal. At first he did it so can have more food, but now he does it because he enjoys the rush of stealing. Rudy is the perfect German with his blonde hair, blue eyes, and athletics but has a heart of compassion. His compassion gets him into a lot trouble like when he defends Tommy Müller at the Hitler Youth Group and then he is forced to do push-ups in manure. Most people know him for painting himself black to look like Jesse Owens. Rudy is a great friend to Liesel because he stood by her when everyone was making fun of her and he do would anything for her like going in a frozen lake to get her book. As the story progress Rudy becomes more mature especially when his father is drafted for the war. He begins to recognize what happening in his country and just like Liesel he sees that the Führer is not so great after

all.

7) Ilsa Herman: Ilsa Herman is the mayor’s wife. Since her son’s death in World War I she has not been functioning like a person. Ilsa was one of Rosa’s customer until she was laid off. Ilsa caught Liesel stealing a book at the burning so when Liesel came to pick up the laundry she was invited into the library. When Liesel started to steal books from the library by going through the window, Ilsa started to leave little gifts for her. Ilsa and her husband take in Liesel when Rosa and Hans die in the bombing.

8) Hans Jr: Hans Jr. is Hans and Rosa’s son. He is an extreme Nazi and goes to fight in Russia. He had a falling out with his family because they do not believe that they should hurt the Jews.

9) Tommy Müller: Tommy is a neighbor and friends of Rudy and Liesel. When he was little he had a severe ear infection that caused him to be partly deaf. Being deaf gets him in trouble because he cannot hear when he is supposed to stop marching at Hitler Youth Group.