Judgment In The Book Thief By Markus Zusak

Narrated by Death, The Book Thief follows the story of a young girl named Liesel Meminger who experiences trauma and heartbreak during Nazi Germany. After losing her family, Liesel starts a new life in Molching, Germany with her foster parents while experiencing adventures with friends, close calls with Death, and family turmoil. During Liesel’s adolescence, she learns to not depend on others, but rather be strong enough to believe and trust in them. In The Book Thief, Markus Zusak uses character relationships to prove one must put aside judgment in order to gain the courage to trust others.

Right when Liesel becomes comfortable with stealing, their apple stealing group gains a new leader, Viktor, making it hard for Liesel to gain trust in

After stealing her first book from a fire, Liesel is invited into Ilsa Hermann’s home to view Herr Hermann’s library. As “a suggestion,” she lets Liesel explore the library “with wonder” anytime she wants (133, 134). Though Liesel accepts without question, Ilsa knows the feeling of losing someone so close as she lost her son so she believes she can give Liesel happiness through books. While discovering the library, Liesel asks about Johann Hermann, but quickly apologizes and “[Let’s] the sentence die its own death” realizing the pain brought upon Ilsa (144). Although the action is not fully returned from Liesel, Ilsa continues to trust Liesel in her library as she sees the pleasure reading brings her. Even after Ilsa notices Liesel steal books from the library, she neglects to scold Liesel because she understands Liesel’s circumstances of not having enough money. Coming from two extremely different families, but both losing someone so close, the two are connected through previous struggle and Ilsa is able to trust Liesel in her home. Although the backgrounds may be extremely different, two people’s similar experiences add a more comfortable dynamic to the relationship making it easier to have faith in one another. It is easier to trust people who have gone through similar situations because they become more relatable, despite where they come

After quietly living with Max Vandenburg in the Hubermann’s basement, Hans becomes aware of the neglect the Jews receive every day and decides they should deserve respect for once. The reaction of his gesture was not taken into consideration by Hans prior to his actions making him appear unprepared. Hans does not take into consideration is the result of his public gesture. By putting aside the negative judgment on Jews set by society, Hans trusts not only himself, but his society to not jump to conclusions and immediately attack him for his crime. However, his mistake left Hans “whipped on the street” by Nazis and many of his own neighbors “[calling] him a Jew lover.” (394, 395). Shortly after his act of kindness, Hans receives his acceptance in the Nazi party along with “a statement […] to say Hans Hubermann was to be drafted into the German army.”(417). Although his actions deem morally correct, Hans did not think through the situation or the reaction of society, causing him to bring upon his own punishment for trusting his instinct. Hans puts trust in not only in himself, but Molching as well, which had a negative effect on the outcome. While it is important for society to recognize the morality of circumstances, it is more important to realize who is being trusted and the consequences of