Death In The Book Thief

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” I am haunted by humans.” If there is one thing that everyone has in common, it is birth and death. The aforementioned quote from the novel, The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak, is the last line of the book from the narrator, Death. It shows the potential of the human race, because it is more commonly thought that the human race fears death, and not the other way around. The Book Thief takes place during World War II, when Adolf Hitler, better known as the Fuhrer to the Germans, set up the Third Reich, or Nazi Germany in order to make Germany the world’s superpower. However, Hitler’s ambitions were not supported by every German citizen, due to the consequences and results he/she faces. Such is the case of Liesel, a child who is taken care of by…show more content…
Throughout the entire novel, Hans defines the epitome of a well-liked man and always does the right thing selflessly and honestly. For instance, on the scene where Hans first offers to teach her how to read, he says,” To tell you the truth, I am not such a good reader myself.” (Zusak 65) Not only is he being honest with Liesel, he is being modest and humble and also making her feel more relaxed by lowering himself closer to her level. One of the most important assets of Hans to Liesel is his love of music. Hans is always playing the accordion, and according to Liesel he is the best player in the world because he has a certain twist to it. Towards the end of the novel, Death comments on the scene of Liesel kneeling by her papa’s dead body,” And I can promise you something, because it was a thing I saw many years later- a vision in the book thief herself- that as she knelt next to Hans Hubermann, she watched him stand and play the accordion.” (Zusak 538) Even in the moment of his death, Liesel relates Hans to the accordion because that’s when he looks and feels best to her. Although she cannot play it, she appreciates what the accordion does for Hans, and what Hans does with the accordion to soothe her. As a child, Liesel shows a great…show more content…
Max is a jewish man who is in need of dire help, and it so happens that Hans is the man who gives it to him. The Hubermanns hide Max in their basement so no one can find out about him. Meanwhile, even while being a stranger in the household, Liesel and Max quickly develop a strong friendship that lasts. Even in his poor condition, Max manages to write a short story called The Standovver Man for Liesel, and this story sparks up their friendship:” They looked on as both the hidden Jew and the girl slept, hand to shoulder. They breathed. German and Jewish lungs.” (Zusak 238) Max writes this story for Liesel to show her that he acknowledges that she cares for him a lot and that he feels the same way. It is hard for someone of Max’s state and condition to not feel immense hatred; in his case, it is directed at the Fuhrer, and he teaches Liesel this hatred in a controlled way. Max tells Liesel,” Every night, I wait in the dark and the Fuhrer comes down these steps. He walks down and he and I, we fight for hours.” (Zusak 255) Hatred and a longing to fight the Fuhrer is understandable for Max who is a Jew; however, he rightfully teaches Liesel, a German, to despise the dictator too. Later, when her town is bombed, and her family and friends are killed, Liesel demonstrates a vast hatred towards the ruler of Nazi Germany. More than
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