What techniques does Markus Zusak use to explore his ideas in The Book Thief?

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Set in Nazi Germany The Book Thief written by Markus Zusak, mirrors the discordant reality of this era. The narrative follows the life of orphaned Liesel Meminger and explores the ways in which she remains alive throughout this harsh regime. Zusak expresses the ideas of the power of words, mortality, and inhumanity through the potent literary techniques of symbolism, incorporating visual elements, and employing Death as the narrator. Zusak’s ability to portray these ideas effectively allows the audience to feel connected with the story and its characters.

Zusak incorporates symbolism within his novel The Book Thief to delineate the power of words. The symbolism of books reveals the undermining power that words possess. Within the novel, the reader is exposed to such power at the book burning; when it is communicated that ”People may tell you that Nazi Germany was built on anti-Semitism, a somewhat overzealous leader and a nation of hate-fed bigots… Germans not loved one particular activity – to burn”. Zusak presents the books to symbolise wisdom and knowledge, the burning of these ‘censored’ books emphasise Hitler’s desire to steal the knowledge of Jews. Furthermore, books symbolise power; burning these books discreetly shows the power Hitler was so freely taking ownership of. By portraying books in such a way, Zusak positions the reader to feel hatred towards the Nazis and in particular Hitler who was stealing this knowledge so publically. Similarly, the power of words is demonstrated through Liesel stealing books. By these actions she is preserving knowledge, Zusak portrays this by expressing "Stealing it, on the other hand, seemed a little more acceptable. Stealing it, in a sick kind of sense was like earning it." This book st...

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...ho is such a dark character, has spoken of humans in such an unsettling way. Zusak successfully connects with the audience by communicating the ideas of inhumanity through using Death to narrate the story.

Within The Book Thief, Zusak presents the reader with the reality of war torn Germany. Throughout the novel Liesel shows great lengths of humanity, even through the hardest of times. Zusak strategically uses the literary techniques of using symbolism to illustrate the power of words, which engages the reader, allowing a sense of hatred towards Hitler. By further employing visual elements to explore mortality, and employing Death as the narrator to portray ideas of inhumanity. Zusak enables the reader to become disheartened by the ideas of war. The powerful way in which Zusak presents these techniques, delicately teaches viewers about such a dark time in history.

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