Analyzing Themes Of Liesel's The Book Thief

In the infamous book known as “The Book Thief,” many themes can be seen throughout the book. One of them main themes that could be focused on is fitting in with everyone else. As the main plot of the story revolves around protagonist Liesel, this stated theme could easily be seen in between each line said. For instance, Liesel was originally from a different family, but was adopted by Rosa and Hans Hubermann, due to her mother no longer able to support her and her brother. Because of this, she had trouble blending in with the rest of the society, as most of the children had grown up with each other most of their lives. In addition, when Liesel first came to Molching, the city they live in, she struggled to read and write, and her level that

Because of growing up in a different country, and learning a different language then the one in Germany. Since she did not know the expected language, she had to start in a class of 1st graders, to whom she was 2 to 3 years older than. As a result of her low knowledge of Germany reading and writing, she was laughed at by many of her peers. Due to this, she acted aggressively towards the children that laughed at her, proving how desperately she wanted to fit in and prove that she was not worthless. To exemplify, one portion of the book states, “Well, as you might imagine, Ludwig Schmeikl certainly buckled, and on the way down, he was punched in the ear” (Zusak 78). To clarify, when Ludwig mocked Liesel about helping him read a book, she ran over to him and started punching, kicking and slapping him. In fact, when she saw another person smiling while watching the two children brawl, she began to beat him up as well. But the portion that can prove that Liesel was trying to fit in and prove that she was not week was when she said that she was not stupid. When beating up the two unfortunate boys involved, she tried to prove that she could fit in with everyone else, and that she was not as stupid as she appeared to

Because of her love for Max, a Jew, and what Hitler has done to the Jews, her resentment for Hitler has grown and grown. For instance, one excerpt of the book has Liesel declare, “’I hate the Führer,’ she said. ‘I hate him’” (Zusak 115). To clarify, this is what Liesel says directly after she learns that it was indeed Hitler who took away her mother. As a result of learning that it was the Führer who took away her mother, the hatred for Hitler truly began to burn insider of her. Throughout the book, there are many other scenes that increase the hatred for the said man, but the truth about her mother and the burning of the books was the things that truly started the fire inside of her. However, due to her feeling the need to fit in, Liesel hides all of these feelings inside of her, and pretends to respect and love Hitler just like everyone else. For example, later in the book, Liesel is caught saying, “’And you?’ She glared at Liesel, who promptly gave her a ‘heil Hitler’ of her own” (Zusak 155). From this evidence, it can be seen how Liesel hesitated, but eventually gave a “heil Hitler” her own. While she did not want to do it, she complied, to be let into the shop and hang out with her friend, and to fit in with the others and not draw attention to herself. In addition, once Liesel and her foster parents start to house Max,