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Hans Hubermann In The Book Thief By Markus Zusak

443 Words2 Pages

Hans Hubermann from The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak, is paralleled to Jesus because they both share the need to help and treat everyone, not discriminating against race or religious ideology. Through his actions, Hans proves himself as the epitome of kindness. Despite the daunting penalty of death, he continues to provide food and services for Jews. Society, controlled by Aryan Nazis, prohibits many acts of hospitality towards Jews. Herr Hubermann demonstrates kindness and humanity while the elitist Germans persecute and murder Jews. Harboring a Jew in Hitler’s era is the most dangerous decision a family can make. Hans, however, invites a tall, worn-down Jewish man into his home without question, and immediately begins to feed him. He extends his generosity by proposing that “he’ll sleep …show more content…

Hans, ascertaining the line of hopeful starving Jews walking, impulsively decides to “[hold] his hand out and present a piece of bread [to an old Jew]” (394). This instinctual act exhibits Hans’ willingness to sacrifice his body and reputation for someone he does not know. He only realizes the crucial mistake of his deed after he was “whipped on the street,” having the satisfaction beat out of him (394). While Hitler’s philosophy becomes prevalent in German society, Hans remains faithful to Jews because “A Jew had once saved his life” and “most of his customers were Jewish” (180). One of the only Jewish shopkeepers left in Molching, Joel Kleinmann, has his store vandalized. Hubermann decides to rise early the next morning and thickly coat Kleinmann’s door with a fresh coat of paint, in order to shroud the imprinted racist slangs. However, he is noticed by Rolf Fischer, a Nazi extremist. By subjecting himself to potential physical and social punishments for people classified as ‘less than human,’ Hans brings light into the worlds of many experiencing an eternal

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In some cases he accepts a few cigarettes in exchange for his services and other times he gets nothing. Also in the novel, Hans tries to give a piece of bread to a dying Jew. By doing this he is putting himself in a very vulnerable position just to help a person who he does not know.

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On Hitler’s birthday in 1940, when “[t]he Hubermanns couldn’t find their flag” (103) to hang on the window, Rosa Hubermann starts to panic. Without the flag on the window, Rosa is afraid “‘[they’ll] come and take [them] away.’” (103) which is an immense consequence for something as simple as lacking a flag, however, because it represents their devotion to Nazi Germany it is essential to have on display. Furthermore, Liesel must salute the Führer many times throughout her years on Himmel Street. Whether she is compelled to (because “[she] [won’t] be served” (50) at Frau Diller’s otherwise) or practicing it for the BDM, she is forced to heil Hitler because without doing, so she is will be punished.

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Developing Friendship through Justice, Love and Humanity Human relationships break or develop depending on the circumstances. The values that creates a stable relationship may vary on historical setting or the characteristics of each person. The novel, “The Book Thief” written by Markus Zusak shows justice, love and humanity through the friendship Liesel and Max developed during the time of the Holocaust.

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Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Hans Hubermann stood strong through moments of adversity. He stuck to his beliefs and personal opinions under the unrelenting reign of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. In The Book Thief Hans Hubermann displayed his morals, a comforting essence, and trustworthiness under horribly negative conditions. First off, Hans Hubermann kept to his own moral beliefs despite the ever-changing society that surrounded him.

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