Summary And Symbolism In The Book Thief

The issue of war is one that is deeply etched into the history of humanity, previously proven to bring out both the good, and bad in human nature. Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief, set in Nazi Germany, and Steven Galloway’s The Cellist of Sarajevo, set in wartime Sarajevo, these aspects of humanity are explored. The theme of courage is explored by Zusak using symbolism and characterisation, with Galloway too using characterisation and the motif of water. Zusak uses the motif of books, with Galloway using the symbol of the cello to convey humanity’s ability to find beauty in times of great horror. The theme of evil in human nature is shown by both authors through setting, with each author using narrator to portray the idea of both good and bad

Symbolism, motifs, and characterisation are used in The Book Thief, and The Cellist of Sarajevo to explore the theme of courage. In The Book Thief, Zusak uses the setting of the Hubermann’s basement as a symbol for courage. The basement is below ground, highlighting the importance of ‘underground networks’ and secrecy, and the courage it took for these networks to occur. The Hubermanns’ risked everything by taking in Max and allowing him refuge in the basement, an action which could have resulted in their deaths. This mirrors the work resistance groups did, risking their lives to defy the regime. It represents these movements and how they were vital in Germany surviving the war. Likewise, the basement was the only thing that kept Liesel alive during the bombing of Himmel Street. It is in the basement where Liesel’s friendship with Max developed, leading to some of her most courageous acts of keeping his presence in their house a secret and giving him bread as he marched through the town. The basement was at first deemed insignificant and not useful to be used as a bomb shelter. However, it becomes the thing that keeps Liesel alive. It symbolised the idea that