Propaganda In The Book Thief

The Power Of Words

Could words cause death and sorrow to the life of an individual? In the novel, The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak, Death, the narrator, directs the story into the various characters perspectives. The story is about Liesel Meminger, a girl who was forced into the Hubermann household in Himmel Street of Molching, Germany in 1939, shortly before WWII. Eventually, her family hides a Jew. Liesel Meminger, a 10 year old, is afraid of losing her prized possessions such as her family, books, and friends. However, she wasn’t able to do so because of Hitler’s desires. The author did a terrific job helping readers visualize how Hitler, through his far-reaching vision of Germany, which was making it “better”, was able to cause immense destruction for both Germans and Jews through his influences and power. The false propaganda is the main source that enables Hitler to spread his influences regarding how shameful the Jewish people are. Throughout The Book Thief, Hitler’s capabilities are demonstrated through his willingness, dedication, and words.

The illustration on

Well, Liesel’s life has been ruined as her prized possessions she was trying her best to treasure, is all gone for good. Her dreams and hope are all ruined. For example, one of her dreams was to build up a compassionate and friendship-type bond with Max Vandenburg, a Jewish man who’s hiding away from the open and evil world. She wasn’t able to do so as Max has been caught by the Nazis. Liesel’s dream is a symbol of how Max has become a surrogate for the death of her brother, Werner Meminger. Her despairing hope of keeping Max alive could indicate a relationship of how she would have acted towards her own brother. Liesel’s whole family is killed due to the air raids and Max has been tortured by Nazi soldiers. As a result, Liesel’s whole life is extinguished from her true reality. The family, friends, and books...the ones she anticipated truly in her