Book Thief Juxtaposition

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is an award-winning novel surrounding the main character Liesel, and her experience in Germany throughout World War II. As Liesel grows up as the novel progresses, she discovers various things about herself and her home of Nazi Germany. Throughout the novel, Zusak uses juxtaposition to emphasize the differences between sides. Zusak most clearly demonstrates his use of juxtaposition in the duality of Nazi Germany and how hate is not everywhere, and how the power of words can be used to either save or destroy. One example of juxtaposition in the novel is the duality of Nazi Germany. Although Hitler and his regime spread hate and lies about the Jews and other minorities, not all agreed with those ideas. One such

In The Book Thief the words and how they are used play an important role in the novel. The main character, Liesel, learns how to read when she arrives at the home of her foster parents in Molching, and from there learns the meaning of different words and the power they hold, in which she uses it for good. However, Hitler and the Nazis use the words for evil; to spread propaganda and hatred across Germany. In this way, does Zusak also show juxtaposition between words being used for good and words being used for evil. In The Book Thief, it states, “He (Hitler) invited his people toward his own glorious heart, beckoning them with his finest, ugliest words … The best word shakers were the ones who understood the true power of words… One such word shaker was a small, skinny girl (Liesel). She was renowned as the best word shaker of her region because she knew how powerless a person could be without words.” (Zusak 445/446 ). This quote obviously shows the author’s use of juxtaposition in the novel. The quote shows Liesel and Hitler, both making use of the words, except Liesel uses her words for good and to spread kindness, while Hitler uses his words for evil and to spread hate- a clear presentation of juxtaposition by the