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Essay On The Power Of Words In The Book Thief

1147 Words5 Pages

Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief demonstrates the duality of the power of words. It shows the importance of articulation, using both its absence, and presence. Words have the power to both heal and destroy a population simultaneously. Being set in Nazi Germany, the book explores words as a source of power and connection, yet also manipulation and control. This duality is shown through the transformation of the protagonist, Liesel. Beginning as illiterate and helpless, she soon transforms into an eloquent individual, who is able to serve as a source of serenity during the chaos of war. The use of words within The Book Thief indicates their importance, and how powerful they can be.

Without words, individuals are powerless, as they cannot express …show more content…

The Book Thief takes place within Nazi Germany, a country heavily influenced by anti-Jewish propaganda “Jewry was now more than ever a label” (Zusak, 216). Hitler was able to manipulate Germany into believing a false reality, in which Germans are the superior race, through the strategic use of words. As Death narrates, “Without words, the Furher was nothing” (Zusak, 521). Words allowed Hitler to convey messages of hate and ignorance, in seemingly rational ways. George Orwell explains this in his essay, Politics and the English Language, stating “Political speech and writing are largely the defense of the indefensible”. Politicians, such as Hitler, deliberately choose certain words in order to justify their nefarious acts. These words deceive the audience’s perception of the topic, placing them in agreement. For example, the Nazi that spoke to the crowd during the book burning described Jewish people as “The disease that has spread through Germany for the last twenty years” (Zusak, 110). The use of this type of language forced the country to believe that Jewish people were not human, and deserved to die. This allowed Hitler to commit unjustifiable acts, such as the Holocaust, without any opposition. Articulate individuals are able to influence others, by conveying emotion through

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In The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, words played a vital role to both heal and destroy in this time period of war. Words are used to either influence people and things in a positive or negative way. Liesel learns that she has the power of words on her side and that words can affect her life and what happens in it. On the other hand, words cause atrocious things to happen as well, like Hitler coming to power. Words also have the power to heal and create marvelous things in the bad world.

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Yehuda Berg, a best-selling author, once said, “If we were handling a bomb which could go off at any minute as a result of our actions, we would mind ourselves and be delicate. Our words have the same power, yet we wield them around as though they were powerless and insignificant.” Words are one of the most powerful means of influence on Earth. Some people choose not to acknowledge the effects that their words may have on others. The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak is a unique story that takes place in Nazi Germany.

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The power of words in “The Book Thief” and the endless strength they carry is a prime topic throughout the book. “The Book Thief”, a novel narrated by Death about Liesel, a young German girl who is given up for adoption to live with the Hubermann’s shortly before World War II. Liesel discovers the power that words, written or spoken, have to transform people, relationships, and lives. In the novel, Mark Zusak uses the relationship between characters to signify the power of words. Within “The Book Thief” the author suggests that words hold much power and have a major role in crafting the relationships between the characters.

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Although humans may originally behave due to innate reasons, much of literature argues external forces shape character and possess the power to influence the way societies behave. Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief exhibits how individuals may react in times of discrimination, and demonstrates the love and hate accompanying war. Difficult times challenge morality, and tests one’s limits; Liesel Meminger perseveres through arduous events, namely due to her identity as a creative and brave adolescent. Liesel’s identity is shaped and ultimately strengthened by outside forces.

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