Loss Of Loved Ones In Harry Potter And The Book Thief

In J.K Rowling’s novel Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and Mark Zusak’s novel The Book Thief, memories are a determining factor in the actions and choices of characters, specifically in ethical and moral situations. Moreover, the grief associated with the loss of loved ones are significant in character’s choices. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and The Book Thief, both offer examples of main characters whose ethical and moral decisions are at some point determined by the memories and beliefs of their loved ones. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Harry’s actions are solely determined by the memories and beliefs of his lost loves ones, specifically Albus Dumbledore. Subsequently, in The Book Thief, Liesel Meminger’s actions in

the beginning of the novel are influenced by her loved ones, explicitly, her deceased brother. However, in the later part of the novel, Liesel begins to dismiss the memories of her loved ones and starts to act of her own accord. Thus, in both novels, main characters at one point do not act of his or her own accord in ethical or moral situations, but act according to the memories of the actions and beliefs of others. However, while Liesel begins to accept the grief of losing her brother, she begins to act individualistically, whereas Harry’s grief, which has largely impacted his life, makes him unable to reach acceptance and make individualistic choices.
At the beginning of both The Book Thief and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, readers come across protagonists who recently suffered the loss of loved ones.

In The Book Thief, readers first come across Liesel Meminger on the train to Molching. Already in this scene Liesel is in an upsetting circumstance. She is being taken away from her family and being sent to a foster home in a new town. On top of this already displeasing circumstance, Liesel is distraught with the loss of her younger brother, Werner. After this incident, the novel depicts Liesel after the unfortunate burial of her brother. “Perhaps ten meters to my left, the pale, empty-stomached girl was standing, frost stricken. Her mouth jittered. Her cold arms were folded. Tears were frozen to the book thief’s face” (Zusak, 8). Already at the young age of ten, Liesel Meminger has experienced the death of a loved one which consequently affects her decision making process. Similarly, Harry Potter in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows also suffers the loss of another loved one at the beginning of the novel. Harry has already lost so many significant individuals in his life; however, the loss of Albus Dumbledore is incredibly painful to Harry as Albus Dumbledore was one of the last father figures in Harry’s life. At the beginning of the novel, the reader is introduced to Harry packing for the arrival of his friends to number 4 Privet Drive. “In a front pocket [of his rucksack] were the Marauder’s Map and the locket with the note signed ‘R.A.B.’ inside it. The locked was accorded this place of honour not because it was valuable- in all usual senses it was worthless- but of what it had cost to attain it” (Rowling, 21). This exert tells the reader that the excursion needed to retrieve this locket cost more than Harry could bear: the loss of his mentor Albus Dumbledore. Correspondingly to Liesel, Harry had witnessed the death of his loved one, which ultimately affects the choices he makes. As such, the reader

first meets the protagonists in vulnerable situations. They both have recently witnessed the loss of loved ones; and thus, in an attempt to preserve the memories of their loved ones, act according to either the beliefs of their loved ones, or irrationally to grieve.
In The Book Thief, the first moral or ethical choice Liesel encounters is determined by the occurrence she just witnessed. Being a ten-year-old girl, the reader assumes that Liesel has not acted unethically or without morals. It is assumed that her mother has taught her right from wrong. However, immediately following the burial of her brother, Liesel acts without morals the reader assume she has. “When the dragging was done, the mother and the girl stood and breathed. There was something black and rectangular lodged in the snow. Only the girl saw it. She bent down and picked it up and held it firmly in her fingers. The book had silver writing on it” (Zusak, 24). The reader begins to question why Liesel steals this book as the narrator does not give any indication that she has a specific reason for obtaining the book. Later in the novel, the reader discovers something about Liesel that contradicts the decision to steal a book.
We take the sheets off, Papa said, and when he reached under and pulled at the fabric, something loosened and landed with a thud. A black book with silver writing came hurtling out and landed on the floor, between the tall man’s feet. He looked down at it. He looked at the girl, who timidly shrugged. Then he read the title, with concentration, aloud: “The Grave Digger’s Handbook.” So that’s what it’s called, Liesel thought. (64)
The reader learns that Liesel does not know how to read. This leads the reader to question why she would want to steal a book to begin with. However, the irrational decision to steal a book comes from the context in which Liesel found the book. Liesel discovered the book instantly after the death of her brother; thus, the book acts as a memorial of her brother. The narrator does not give any indication that Liesel had any other items of her brother to remember him by, so stealing a book the very moment of his burial represents the last time she saw him. Because this thievery occurs immediately after Werner’s death, it can be determined Liesel is in a state of grief that disallows her to think for herself; and thus, acts irrational and unethically. However, in Liesel’s mind, this unethical choice is a preservation of her brother’s memory so she can deal with the significant loss. Following this first immoral choice, Liesel’s actions continue to be determined by the loss of her loved ones, and often, many of these decisions appear to be unethical or morally wrong. For example, on Liesel’s birthday she did not receive a present from the Huberman’s due to a lack of money. Consequently, she acts irrationally, and makes a decision that is immoral. After retrieving the washing for the day, Rosa Huberman confronts Liesel.
“Some of it’s missing.” Mama counted the money a fourth time, with Liesel over at the stove. It was warm there and it cooked the fast flow of her blood. “What happened, Liesel?” She lied. “They must have given me less than usual.” “Did you count it?” She broke. “I spent it, Mama.” […] Her eyes blinked. “I mailed my letters.” (99)
As Hans Huberman was teaching Liesel to read, she was writing letters to her mother, and made the decision to steal some of the money from the washing to mail her letters. This unethical decision of stealing money from her foster mother is determined by Liesel’s grief of being separated from her mother. During this occurrence, only a year has passed since Liesel’s family was torn apart; thus, Liesel has not reached acceptance of the grieving processes. As such, her decisions in ethical and moral situations are still