Power Of Words In The Book Thief

The Book Thief

Thoughtful, showing careful consideration. Markus Zusak is thoughtful in every word established in The Book Thief. All parts of the book were used for a thematic or symbolic purpose. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak _____________.

Words are the most impactful part of The Book Thief, both on the reader and on the characters. Every character in The Book Thief is either impacted by words or uses words to impact others. In Nazi Germany, words were restricted, taking place there, the power of words can be found in all parts of The Book Thief. Liesel discovers both the positive and the negative power of words in the novel. When Liesel gets invited into Isla Hermann’s library, Liesel is fascinated by the “books everywhere”, believing

There are many acts of good and evil, varying in severity. Isla invites Liesel into her library one day, “[stepping] aside and [motioning]…for the girl to enter” (Zusak 133). This shows Isla’s willingness to please Liesel. Though letting Liesel in could benefit Isla by allowing her to escape her grief, it was still a kind action because she put Liesel on the right path. Liesel was getting books that were illegal and risked her life just to obtain them, so Isla gave her a safer opportunity to read. Evil in the novel is portrayed when a soldier “whipped [Hans Hubermann] on the street” for giving bread to a Jew during a parade. Hans Hubermann’s act was beautiful and very kind, and the man punished him with violence for it. Though the man could just be doing his job, the soldier did not need to whip Hans for committing the act. This relates to a large symbol within the novel: giving bread. Giving bread only occurs twice in the novel, but they are two very important occurrences. The first was the previously stated situation, where Hans Hubermann gives a Jew a piece of bread. Doing so, he put the man’s life before his own, as the man was dying and Hans giving him a piece of bread could get him taken away. The second giving of bread is when Rudy and Liesel sneakily give bread to the Jews at another parade. They do it safer than Hans, but it is still a kind act. These two parts symbolize the kindness and humanity that can still be found, even in Nazi, Germany. This symbol demonstrates how, even in the darkest, most hateful places, good can still be found. It also shows how sometimes you have to create the light if you don’t see it, as Hans had to