The Book Thief Research Paper

“The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak is a captivating novel that branches into the concept of family and how it is defined by more than just blood relations. The book is set against the backdrop of Nazi Germany during world war 2 and follows the story of Liesel Meminger, a young girl sent to live with foster parents after her own family is torn apart by the war. Through the characters of Liesel, her foster parents Hans and Rosa, and a jewish man named Max they are hiding. In The Book Thief, Zusakl shows a theme, that family is formed through shared hardships and trust, rather than simply through genetics. This essay will examine how the characters in the book define their family based on their shared experiences and the bond they form, rather

Hans, a kind and compassionate man, takes Liesel under his wing and teaches her how to read, which starts her passion and love for books. Rosa, although brash and rough around the edges, cares deeply for Liesel and protects her. As the war goes on, the Hubermans face many hardships together, including the constant threat of being caught for hiding a jewish man named Max in their basement. Their bond is strengthened by these shared experiences and they become a family through their trust and support of each other. They “bond” together throughout the whole time. Max, the jewish man hiding in their basement, also becomes part of their family through living with them and trust. Despite being from different backgrounds and no blood relation Liesel and Mac form a close bond over their love of books and their experiences with the war. The book emphasizes the idea that family is not defined by blood relation but by shared experiences and trust. Liesel's biological family is torn apart by the war, but her foster family becomes her true family, showing that blood ties are not the only factor that makes a

One of the most prominent literary devices used in the book is symbolism. The author uses several symbols to convey deeper meanings throughout the story. For instance, death, who is also the narrator of the story, is a prominent symbol in the novel. Death symbolizes the fear and uncertainty that come with war and the unknown. He is not only a personification of the end of life but also a representation of loss and grief experienced by the characters. Another literary device shown in the book is foreshadowing. The author uses foreshadowing to hint at the events to come in the story. For example, death often foreshadows upcoming events by providing brief glimpses into the future, such as the death of certain characters. The foreshadowing adds an element of suspense and intrigue, making the reader eager to know what happens