Book Thief Essay One of the defining questions in psychology questions the influence a person's nature has versus the influence of their environment. The fact that environment plays a large role in the development of our values and thought patterns is common knowledge. However, there are many parts to what is considered an environment. For example a person's culture influences morals and belief systems, and a person's physical surroundings might influence the way waste is thought about for the remainder of that person's life. In John Knowles' novel, The Book Thief, the influence of Liesel's cultural, geographical, and physical surroundings affect her future profoundly. In the culture surrounding Liesel, morality is not usually something given more than a second thought, especially in this time period. Stealing is so commonplace that neither Liesel nor Rudy hesitates when stealing some of a stranger's livelihood. The approach to raising children included indifferent teaching, watschens (beatings), and a fierce parental love hidden behind gruff exteriors. In this time period, the fear is so pervasive that it is a constant, invisible companion. One that is not seen, but felt, and fear guides the everyday actions of all the humans in this story. Fear is as much a product of …show more content…
The most obvious way the location affects Liesel's life is the bomb that destroys Himmel Street, killing Mama Hubermann, Papa Hubermann, and Rudy. Their deaths, and the way Liesel reacts to them, is so thoroughly realistic and touching, that it makes the reader connect on a deep level with both Liesel and the narrator. After the death of her foster parents, Liesel goes and lives with the mayor and his wife. Her geographical surroundings ended the lives of those she loved, but her physical surroundings saved her