ipl-logo

How Does Liesel Make Bad Decisions

518 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Liesel Meminger character analysis

TBT Essay - First Draft Have you ever thought something you did wasn't the best decision? Well, a girl named Liesel Meminger steals, lies, and overall makes poor decisions. Throughout the story she enjoys to steal for no reason other than she wants to. In The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, the main character, Liesel, makes decisions that aren't morally correct. Liesel makes bad choices because they lead others in sticky situations, only benefit herself, and are unnecessary. In this story, Liesel steals for her own benefit which inevitably leads to the people around her getting in trouble. Throughout the book Liesel steals multiple times and most of the time it is with Rudy, her best friend. Even though they have a wonderful friendship, Liesel can be selfish and disregard the fact that Rudy can be at fault. “Earnestly he said “just wait,” and hurried back around the corner. “Don’t get caught” said Liesel.” (Zusak 290). Rudy has to risk getting caught just because Liesel wanted to steal a book and was careless. Liesel and Rudy sneak into the mayor's house to steal cookies, but soon after they realize that they forgot about a plate consequently making them anxious. Liesel might be poor, but that’s no excuse to steal cookies. Also, if she was really thinking …show more content…

A foster child in Nazi Germany who's hiding a Jew would not be expected to be selfish but don't judge a book by its cover (see what I did there). As the story plays out, Liesel gets more curious and disregards the well-being of others. Liesel lies to Rudy saying that's all she could find but obviously that wasn't the case.It is evident now that Liesel steals, and along with books she also like to steal food, but only for herself. The fact that she steals food and doesn't give any to her family and hurts another makes her look like a mercenary, or someone who is self centered. By now we know that she is a

Show More
Related
1397 Words | 6 Pages

Liesel was the last one to part from her brother’s grave and upon walking back to her mother she notice that there was a book laying in the snow. It belonged to one of the gravediggers but she didn 't know that at the time so she took it. It was the first book that she had “stolen.” Later that day she was separated from her mother and taken to her new home on 33 Himmel Street to live with Rosa and Hans Hubermann, her foster parents.

Read More
965 Words | 4 Pages

Although both Lisel and Misha steal, they steal for different reasons and things. Liesel borrows books to read for enjoyment, while Misha steals food to survive. Misha, since he claimed himself a Jew with the Milgrom family, owned no Human rights at that point in Hitler’s rule and World War two. On the contrary, Liesel owned all German rights as a citizen. She was also Hitler’s ideal human being- blond hair, blue eyes.

Read More
665 Words | 3 Pages

Liesel was enjoying the books so much that she stole nine books throughout the novel, Liesel did not know any better. She knew what she was doing was wrong, she even got punished by her parents but that did not stop her from stealing more books. Another character that changed throughout the novel is Rudy Steiner, he made decisions that almost got him in trouble like for example The Jesse Owens Incident. Jesse Owens was an inspiration to Rudy; Death says : He smeared the charcoal on, nice and thick, till he was covered in black. Even his hair received a once over.

Read More
703 Words | 3 Pages

Liesel has realized she must respect the man who was the reason for her and her entire families suffering. She has realized she officially has lost her home, that she is completely isolated from the community. “It was quite a sight seeing an eleven year old girl try not to cry on church steps, saluting fuhrer”(Zusak 115). After losing all of these emotionally wrecking things Liesel learns and understands she needs to keep going forward. She refuses to give up she although times are rough manages to think, it could be worse.

Read More
483 Words | 2 Pages

Liesel, known as the book thief to the audience has a distinct passion for books and how much they mean to her. Stealing book after the book becomes a hobby for the young girl whose love of books is fostered by her foster father, Hans Hubermann. As Hans teaches Liesel how to read and write they develop an

Read More
749 Words | 3 Pages

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.

Read More
1812 Words | 8 Pages

Being a ten-year-old girl, the reader assumes that Liesel has not acted unethically or without morals. It is assumed that her mother has taught her right from wrong. However, immediately following the burial of her brother, Liesel actions without morals the reader assume she has. “When the dragging was done, the mother and the girl stood and breathed. There was something black and rectangular lodged in the snow.

Read More
888 Words | 4 Pages

“It’s just a small story really, about, among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist fighter, and quite a lot of thievery…” (Zusak, pg. 5) The novel, The Book Thief written by Markus Zusak in 2005 explores the theme of family relationships. It is through nine-year-old Liesel Meminger, the protagonist, that the idea of a broken family during the era of Nazi Germany is explored. The Book Thief depicts the struggle of young German girl, Liesel Meminger, living in Germany during the time of Hitler’s reign.

Read More
880 Words | 4 Pages

In the novel, Liesel’s behavior shows justice and love through her friendship with Max. Although her relationship with Max in the beginning of the book was rather awkward, soon her perspective towards Max soothes and their relationship bonds to a friendship. There are some times when Liesel’s actions were unbelievable, especially during the Jew parade. “ ‘ You have to let go of me Liesel.’

Read More
712 Words | 3 Pages

For this reason, Liesel best illustrates courage in The Book Thief by befriending

Read More
978 Words | 4 Pages

Having no one familiar to turn to, she finds a passion for words and continues to steal more books and develops strength through her burgeoning intellect of words. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is about the power of words; in this novel Zusak reveals that one who truly knows the hidden strength behind all words, can dominate others because words are more powerful than any weapon. The importance of words is shown through the symbolism of certain words throughout the novel; the motif of hunger, how it leads to her hunger for words; and how different Liesel’s world would be without words. Simple words can have deeper meanings.

Read More
862 Words | 4 Pages

The theme of this book is learning to love and care for the people around. How I came to this conclusion is by how Liesel acts towards Max, her foster parents, Rudy, and her neighbors. Liesel cares for people even if they weren't like her and she doesn't understand why there is hatred in this world. She wanted the world to be a happy place for everyone including Jews to be friends with one another. On page 426 in ‘The Book Thief’, when Rudy’s father went to war Liesel could relate to Rudy because “her mother.

Read More
2175 Words | 9 Pages

One of the most important recurring themes throughout The Book Thief was Liesel’s relationships with all of the people in her life. She grows close with several different people, and trusts, loves, and cares for them all differently but equally. Three of those relationships will be explored more deeply; Liesel’s relationship with her foster father, Hans Hubermann, the Jewish man her family takes in, Max Vanderburg, and her best friend, Rudy Steiner. Liesel’s relationship with Hans is one of the most important, if not the most important, relationships in the novel. Hans is the first person Liesel trusts, and the person who stays with her and loves her until the end.

Read More
1301 Words | 6 Pages

Her favorite thing to do with the stolen books was read with her father. Her Papa frequently read with her. “ ‘ Do you want to read it?’ Again, ‘Yes Papa’ “ (Zusak 64). One of Liesel’s friends, Max, is constantly filled with guilt as well.

Read More
770 Words | 4 Pages

“Friendship isn’t about who you’ve known the longest. It’s about who walked into your life, said “I’m here for you and proved it.” These words perfectly describes the beginning to Liesel and Rudy's friendship. In The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Rudy and Liesel, younger teenagers, create an unbreakable bond that keeps them together through Germany during World War II. Rudy's outgoing, caring, and loving personality is shown in The Book Thief when he sticks up for his friends, he jumps into the winter water to save Liesel’s book, and how he keeps all of Liesel’s secrets.

Read More

More about How Does Liesel Make Bad Decisions

Related Topics

Open Document