The award-winning novel The Book Thief is a cult classic favourite written by Markus Zusak which tells the story of a young, fictional girl named Liesel Meminger who lives in a poverty-stricken neighbourhood in Nazi germany. The story starts off with the total loss of her family. Overwhelmed by sorrow, she eventually finds comfort in reading and writing words, and eventually comes to realize the power that words can wield. The power of words is measured not by the word itself, but by the person from which they come from. Within the novel are three characters most notable for their use of words: A foster father, a power hungry dictator, and a fourteen year old girl. First on the list is Hans Hubermann, a quiet individual in nature who used words for good. World War Two was a time of great despair for the people of Germany, Liesel especially. The words Hans spoke, though sometimes irrelevant, would bring some comfort to those around him: “‘You know how to roll a cigarette?’ he asked her, and for the next hour or so, they sat in the rising pool of darkness, playing with the tobacco and the cigarette papers and Hans smoking them”(Zusak 33). Hans’ words …show more content…
served as a distraction for Liesel, even when they read together. When Hans spoke she was able to temporarily forget about the bitterness of the world and enjoy the moment at hand. The most notable words from Hans was not the words he spoke, but the words he gave: “‘From Saint Niklaus,’ papa said, but the girl was not fooled. She hugged both her foster parents, with snow still laid across her shoulders. Unfurling the paper, she unwrapped two small books. The first one, Faust The Dog… The second book was called The Lighthouse”(88-89). The Hubermann household was not a wealthy one. Books were a luxury to them. Hans’ gift to Liesel showed that he would go great lengths to make her happy. Not only did the books incite joy in the girl, but the words would inspire her to create a voice of her own. Hans Hubermann was a man of few words, but they were significant nonetheless. While Hans used words to soothe and inspire, there were others who used words to conquer and control. Adolf Hitler was such a man. In the early stages of World War Two, Hitler was able to rally the majority of the German citizens against the Jewish population: “They were all placed on a conveyor belt and run through a rampant machine that gave them a lifetime in ten minutes. Words were fed into them. Time disappeared and they now knew everything they needed to know. They were hypnotized”(446). It was not difficult for Hitler to convince the German people of the Jews treachery. It’s easy to believe the lies of someone who has done so much for their country. He was a strong, political leader who turned around Germany’s economy for the better in the aftermath of World War. Time and time again he would repeat the words he held true, eventually embedding them in the minds of people. When people are told something enough times, they eventually believe whether it be true or not.The Jews were taken from their homes and stripped of their human rights through Hitler’s reign, but that wasn’t enough. Anything related to the Jewish people was not worthy of existing in the eyes of the Fuhrer: “Even Schiller Strasse - the road of yellow stars - which was still awaiting its renovation, was ransacked one last time, to find something, anything, to burn in the name of the fuhrer’s glory”(102). Hitler was set on permanently exterminating the Jewish population in his quest for world domination. If he succeeded, all that would be left to tell their story would be the books, but even those were incinerated. The books would be the last remnants of words that would remember the Jews when they were gone. He ensured their voices would no longer be heard. Hitler held a firm conviction against the Jews. There was always a sense of unity in the speeches he declared, but in reality he created only one voice, his voice. Lastly is Liesel Meminger, a young foster girl who found love in words when it was taken away from her.
The language used between Liesel and those close to her redefined the meaning people are more familiar with: “‘Yes,’ Liesel promptly agreed. Quick answers were appreciated in this household. ‘Yes, Mama,’ Mama corrected her. ‘Saumensch. Call me Mama when you talk to me’”(35). The English translation of Saumensch is pig. A lot of people would take the word for what it is, a filthy swine. For Liesel, this was her own brand of love. It was through this word that Liesel knew she was talking to a loved one. At the beginning of the story Liesel started off timid and sorrowful. In the later course of the story she built confidence around the words exposed to her, going as far as opposing the Nazi
soldiers. To conclude, words were a vital element in the narration of this novel. The foster father used words to bring happiness to his foster child. The power hungry dictator used words to manipulate his own people for selfish purposes. Finally the fourteen year old girl found her own voice among the words she came to love. The thing about words though is that they are just words. Words cannot brainwash and words cannot love on their own, but humans can make them do so. That is where the power of words comes from.
Markus Zusak uses Hyperbole, in order to enhance imagery for the readers. He uses Hyperbole when he is explaining the fear that runs through the Hubermann home, when they discover the Nazis will be examining their basement. Their hearts were beating so intensely from fear, when they realized their time to efficiently hide Max was over. Zusak over exaggerates their fear by creating an impossible occurrence, which helps readers clearly visualize and understand the intensity of fear that surrounds their home. In conclusion, the author uses hyperbole in order to enhance the fear felt amongst the Hubermann household.
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.
Not that it was a living hell. It wasn't. But it sure wasn't heaven, either”. (5.87) Death tells us. She became really fond of Hans Hubermann; a painter and accordion player, but with Rosa things were more complicated; she was a rough woman who did the washing and ironing of Molching’s wealthy inhabitants. Liesel starts to have dreams of her brother dying and wets in bed which leads us to her first reading session; Papa finds the book hidden under Liesel’s mattress and after a while he notices that Liesel does not know how to read and doing his best with a fourth grade education he teaches her how to read and write. She also makes a friend that she would never forget Rudy Steiner or we can call it Jesse Owens too; they met on the street during a soccer game and since then they became
Liesel Meminger was a very bright girl that didn’t have the resources to flourish. Her mother must hide from the Nazis because she is a communist and sends Liesel ...
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.
...at the power of words entailed in the novel, The Book Thief, words really are very powerful. Three examples were given above as a few powers that the novel captured throughout the story. Words can manipulate and divide people, but at the same time connect people. Despite the fact that words have so many contradicting powers, one can use the words to their full extent when their intent is moral. In fact, words are meaningless if it doesn’t have an impact on an individual, society, or world. Words can do both good and bad, however, if one uses them in a proper way, it can result in a positive statement for our world. The novel gives the readers the lesson that we should comprehend the power of words and use words in a moral way. Just remember this: “I have hated the words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right.” (pg. 413)
In the following lines from Markus Zusak’s novel The Book Thief, Liesel has been in attendance of a bonfire in which the Hitler Youth was required to attend. The bonfire was meant for burning books, posters and other propaganda that the Jews had owned. During the clean-up of the bonfire, Liesel seized her moment to steal her second book.
Max showed her a side of the world that was technically forbidden for her German roots and family. Either way, her family housed a jewish person. Which was illegal at that time and punishable by death. Not a topic to take lightly. Anyways, Max wrote Liesel a book called “The Standover Man”. A quote from the book makes his story ironic. “It makes me understand that the best standover man I’ve ever known is not a man at all…” (Zusak, page 205, line 5-8) This is ironic because Liesel could be a man with her guts, but she is different. She doesn’t put up with any crap from anyone (but her parents of course), but she can also at the same time be very caring. She is as mean as an angry bull, but as nice as a caring mother with her newborn child. It’s kind of hard to think of any female being like that but that is how Liesel is
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
Words have the power to affect people in many ways from empowerment or to taking upon action. Words are able to make huge changes in the lives of many and can make good or bad changes. In history, people used words in both good and bad function from making a promise to a nation or even manipulating multitudes of people within a nation. Words definitely have the ability to take situations a far distance but despite the fact that evil can manipulate the majority of people, individuals too can realize the true actions and evil buried inside the perpetrator. People can be both ugly and beautiful at sometimes with weapons along their sides. A novel called The Book Thief illustrates the power of words in a multitude of ways, showing the potential
Liesel’s mom leaves her with foster parents because she wishes to protect her from the fate she is enduring. The words Paula, Liesel’s mom, uses go against Hitler because she is a communist which resulted in her being taken away and Liesel to lose her mother and experience the loss of her. This shows Liesel experiences unhappiness because of her mother’s disappearance which is caused by the words she openly uses that contradicts Hitler.
At the start of Liesel’s thieving filled story, she had a younger brother named Wren, him and Liesel were riding in the train on their way through Munich where he died in the third carriage, after much intense coughing...there was nothing. Just an eerie silence. No one on the train took much notice when Death went to work. Except for Liesel, the young girl watched as her brother was carried away, never to be seen or heard from again.
“Like most misery, it started with apparent happiness” (84). In the beginning, we are introduced to the narrator by the name of Death. He informs the readers that he has many stories, but only remembers the ones that interest him. The tale of Liesel Meminger is one such tale, as he was always fascinated by her will to live through the most horrible instances. It should be duly noted however, that this story does not have a happy ending. Death makes this clear before we even have a chance to get our hopes up. He tells us that everyone dies; the amount of time that they last is truly the only difference. After this sordid fact is in place, he mentions just Liesel first attracted his attention.
The Book Thief is a book written by Markus Zusak, shining in the brilliancy of a holocaust novel it captures the hearts of literature lovers and history fanatics both. The story takes place in holocaust Germany and focuses on the story of a girl named Liesel Meminger. The story starts with her at nine years old and when the story ends she is well in to the fourteenth year of her life. This story is the story of a girl, a girl who learns to read, a girl who learns how to hide in the shadows, a girl who stands strong in a place of mistrust and pain; this story is of the type that takes your breath away.
Many people, such as Liesel, conform to societal expectations in public while keeping their rebellion in private most of the time. They do this to survive in a culture that persecutes anybody that they disagree with or disagrees with them. For example, “‘I hate the Führer,’ she said. ‘I hate him.’… ‘Don’t ever say that!’… ‘You can say that in our house,’ he said, looking gravely at Liesel’s cheek. ‘But you never say it on the street, at school, at the BDM, never!’’ (p. 115-116) This was when Liesel found out that the Nazis took away her mother for being a communist and was naturally upset. Her foster father, Hans Hubermann, slapped her for saying that, at