How Does The Book Thief Change Throughout The Novel

Markus Zusak's novel, The Book Thief is portrayed through the eyes of death, and Liesel Meninger. The novel is a collection of what Liesel's life is like while living on Himmel Street with her foster family- Hans and Rosa Hubermann. The novel is set in Nazi Germany, which is what makes Liesel's story significant. According to these criteria, The Book Thief is good literature because it deals with big topics such as love and death, it makes the reader think, and it makes you appreciate life. Firstly, Liesel's best friend Rudy has changed and impacted her life in more ways than one- by loving her and leaving her. Liesel had told Rudy about Max, a jew hiding in her basement. Liesel trusts Rudy and shows him the book that Max had given her. ¨

This theme is the most crucial to the plot, as it is the cause of many problems and events, and it caused Max Vandenburg to show up on Hubermann's doorstep. The novel highlights the brutality of what living in Nazi Germany was like, and its impact upon Liesel. “I wanted to tell the book thief many things, about beauty and brutality. But what could I tell her about those things that she didn't already know? (Zusak 550). Liesel has lived a life of beauty and brutality as mentioned. She knew much of beauty as it provided her with her brother, the Hubermanns, Max, and Rudy. But, later, she experienced brutality as her brother, the Hubermanns, and Rudy was killed, and Max was taken from her. For many people, knowing the beauty of life will stay constant, but for Liesel, this is a luxury that she will never know. She has experienced the best of both worlds, that of beauty and brutality, and she will always know them. To add to that, Liesel has experienced pain that no one wishes to feel. After the air raid on Himmel Street Liesel comes to a realization. “That's my mama. That's my papa. The words were stapled to her. “They´re not moving,“ she said quietly. “They're not moving.“ Liesel realized that both Hands and Rosa Hubermann had been killed. Liesels realization is unimaginable to most kids her age. To lose your whole family within the blink of an eye is a surreal moment indeed. Reading the words of Liesel, during her most painful and sad moments, brings an overwhelming appreciation of the lives, and luxuries to be thankful for. The Book Thief brings the reader to feel an incredible amount of thankfulness and fulfillment in their