The Book Thief Language Analysis

Words are used in many different forms. Whether one realizes it or not, no matter what the form is, language influences everyone. It is a tool that can change one’s life for good and for bad. The novel The Book Thief by Markus Zusak uses language as a method to accurately depict the immense power that words possess. This is evident when words are used out of anger, to distract from issues and in times when words save lives.

The power of words is accurately displayed in the novel during situations where they are used out of anger. This is illustrated when the author suggests that Liesel is angry at the Fuhrer because he took her mother for being a communist. Furious at this idea, she feels a “slush of anger, stirring in her stomach” (Zusak 115). This causes her to say, “I hate [the Fuhrer],” (115). Due to this, Papa “[slaps] Liesel Meminger squarely in the face,” (116). However, there are more possible consequences for her harsh words. Just that one sentence has the power to have Liesel taken away, along with her whole foster family. Therefore, this proves that even a few words have the potential to create a huge dilemma, especially when said out of rage. Similarly, this is evident when Liesel finds out that the Mayor will no longer be a customer for Mama. After losing their last customer, “the glittering anger was thick and unnerving” within Liesel (262). Upon finding this out from Ilsa

Hermann’s letter, Liesel “ [sprays] her words directly into the woman’s eyes,” without realizing “the brutality of words” (262). She does not notice the strength of her insults until she figures out that she can no longer visit Ilsa Hermann due to the embarrassment. This shows the abilities of language when used in abusive context, as it can lead to further damage long after being expressed. Finally, this is observed when Reinhold Zucker forces Hans to get out of his seat on the truck. Zucker tells Hans to “move it” because he is angry that he had beaten him earlier in a game of cards (475). The outcome of this is the death of Zucker. A punctured tire leads to the truck going out of control. Many men are injured, and the person that is in Hans’ seat, Zucker, is dead after breaking his neck. Had he not said those words out of aggravation, things would have turned out in favour for him. Therefore, this shows how abusive words have a greater potential to manipulate the outcome of a situation for the worse. In conclusion, language is a very strong tool that has a great potential, especially when expressed with the wrong intentions.
Language is also depicted as a great way to distract from tragedies that are taking place. This is evident through Max as he spends his time in the Hubermann’s basement writing The Standover Man. Max spends a week collecting “pages from Mein Kampf and [painting] over them in white” (223). He then uses them to write his story for Liesel. Max utilizes the book Mein Kampf in an attempt to ease his mind with the words he puts to paper. This shows one of the many ways that words can be strong enough to distract Max from the hardships that he is facing. In addition, language holds a great ability for Liesel as she busies herself while Max is sick. She saves up many stories so that she has “something to talk about when Max wakes up” (321). Max being sick is really hard on Liesel. The only way to make herself feel better is by getting presents for him and saving stories with the hopes that she will share them when he awakes. This proves how her stories are powerful enough to distract her, and give her the hope she needs to believe that good times are coming. Lastly, words are able to alleviate the minds of those present in the bomb shelter during the air raids. In order to relax, Liesel reads The Whistler. Even “the youngest kids [are] soothed by her voice” (381). Once it is over, “on their way to the stairs, the children rushed by her, but many of the older people…thanked the girl for the distraction” (382). Just a couple minutes of reading is enough to make everyone feel less stressed. Earlier, it is evident that they are concerned because the thought of death is very unsettling. Consequently, words are powerful because one book is enough to distract a whole group of people of their worries, which was not accomplished with other methods. To conclude, it is noticeable that language holds an immense capability to distract one from his worries, which cannot be accomplished without this great outlet.
In addition, there are multiple encounters when words have the ability to save a life. This is first evident with Max on his way to Himmel Street. Of the few items he has, one is the Fuhrer’s book, Mein Kampf. During the trip, “he made his way through the book” (160). This makes Mein Kampf one of the few “things to save him” (160). By reading it on the train, he ultimately avoids questioning from German officers, as he seems to be a supporter of the Nazi Party. Being a Jew, he is in a tough position because if he gets caught, he will get sent to a concentration camp, or even be killed. This proves that words are influential because the Fuhrer’s novel possesses the ability to save Max and eliminate the possibility of this happening. Moreover, language harbours the power to save Liesel’s life during the bombing raids. After receiving a blank book from Ilsa Hermann, Liesel decides to put her life to paper, calling it The Book Thief. To do so, “every night, Liesel [makes] her way down to the basement” (527). This is where “ for hours, she [writes]” (527). One night just so happens to be a bomb raid. This is the night everyone on Himmel Street dies, except Liesel. This is because “[Liesel] was sitting in a basement…checking for mistakes” in her book (498). It is a miracle she survives because the sirens did not sound. This proves that the words of her own book have the capability to rescue her. Had she not received it, she would not have been in the basement, and ultimately would not have survived. To sum up, the novel accurately illustrates words as powerful enough to hold the competence to save lives.
The use of language in the novel The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is able to portray the great influence that words hold.

Words are seen as powerful when they lead to negative consequences after being used out of rage. Similarly, the novel uses language as an effective technique to distract characters from calamities that are taking place. Finally, words are depicted as a great saviour for several characters within the novel. Through these aspects, the author accurately shows that language is a tool that has a great ability to manipulate a situation, no matter for good or for

bad.