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The Book Thief Research Paper

631 Words3 Pages

Connor Paladino
Mrs. Beauchamp
Honors English 9
15 September 2017
Jewish Life in The Book Thief
In the novel The Book Thief by Mark Zusak there is a dominating social issue present. The story takes place in Germany during the Holocaust. The Holocaust is a horrendous event that sparked a burning hatred and discrimination against Jews in Germany, making it almost impossible for them to survive. For example, a main part of the story, Max’s stay at the Hubermann’s would not have happened if it weren't for this event. During the Holocaust Jewish people in Eastern Europe were hunted down to the German army, the Nazis, and taken away to concentration camps, where they would likely meet their deaths. Also, Liesel’s adventures to retrieve books may …show more content…

At the end of it, the sun is like a yellow hole. . .” Zusak portrays life of a Jewish citizen in a personal way throughout the book. The Hubermann’s are deciding to hide a Jewish man, Max, and this is a choice that endangers their entire family's life. Max has been living in the basement for over a year now, and he wishes only to remember what the world actually looks like. Max’s only way of survival was to hide in the Hubermann’s house, and he did for almost two years. As a Jewish citizen of Gemany, Max was in a constant state of horror, because if he were to be caught he would be killed along with the family who were protecting him. Max, along with many other Jews, decided to give up his own life in fear that he would end up taking those of the family protecting him. This would be a very difficult for any person to make, but it was common for a Jew to have to make a decision of this size. This excerpt not only develops the plot through a strengthening of Liesel and Max’s friendship, it brings personal and historical aspects to the story by connecting the reader more with Max and letting them understand his struggle that was staying

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