Humanity In The Book Thief

The Book Thief written by Markus Zusak is a novel that pictures the life of a young German girl in the 1940’s and the many struggles she faces. For Liesel Meminger the humanity that is present in those surrounding her prevails the propaganda and conditioning enforced by Hitler and the Nazi Party. Actions either big or small has affected Liesel into following what is rights versus what is wrong. The humble kindness her Papa Hans Hubermann, the warm heart of the brooding Rosa Hubermann, the innocence of Rudy Steiner, the generosity of Ilsa Hermann and the companionship of Max vandenburg all help Liesel recognize her own humanity and grow throughout the story.
Life for Liesel Meminger had not been the easiest, she was abandoned by her mother

Rosa made sure of Max’s safety and health to be in the best condition it could be in when he first arrived. His arrival was a shock at the Hubermann home, his first few nights were worrisome to everyone for all he did was sleep and to possibly think Rosa would allow this seemed impossible but in Liesel’s mind she did do the impossible, this was the first act of human kindness she had witnessed from Rosa Hubermann, not only did she let him in but she took care of him and was by his side during his illness and made sure he ate whenever possible. “She was a good woman for a crisis”(211). Liesel sees a very different side of Rosa when Max becomes part of their lives, she is no longer the mean stubborn woman but a generous one sharing her food, love and everything she has, because she believes hiding max is the right thing to do and that it is worth the risk of being discovered, this ultimately changes Liesel's and Rosa’s relationship for the best but not only do they grow a bond, Rosa’s actions create an influence on Liesel; taking action on what she believes is right and to be kind deep

Ilsa has been deemed to be in a constant depression because the loss of her only son during the war, her hair is frizzy and she only wears a bathrobe around her home. She is the one that spots Liesel stealing the burning book from the pit, “She was just waiting for the right moment”(132) to approach Liesel. Ilsa invites Liesel into her home’s library and allows her to take books but once the Hermann’s no longer employ Rosa Liesel becomes upset and throws hurtful words to Ilsa. Liesle keeps coming back with the intent of stealing books but Ilsa is very aware and keeps the window open and sets out cookies for that reason. Ilsa encourages Liesel to write her own book by giving her a blank notebook, this notebook was the reason for Liesel surviving the bombing, she would write in her book about her life in the basement every night and the night of the bombing she was in her basement sound asleep, afterwards Ilsa comes to find Liesel and offers to take her in. Ilsa shows her generosity toward Lisel the entire book, and shows great sympathy for others even though she suffers from her own loss and