A majority of The Book Thief is set in the basement or under houses. Liesel spends a lot of time in the Huberman’s basement with Max and writing her book as well as reading to her fellow neighbors in the Fielders basement. The setting of the basement highlights the mood and atmosphere of the book. The basements are also under the houses which could represent her subconscious as it is the place where she is more creative and artistic. This is also the place where she has more expression and where she can be herself with Max.
Although not thoroughly explained or in great detail, Liesel’s brothers death plays a major part in the development of the plot in The Book Thief. His death marks the start of Liesel’s obsession with books and learning to …show more content…
When Liesel learns to read, it symbolizes how many Germans realized what Hitler was doing was wrong.
On Liesel’s birthday, she receives no presents and steals the money Rosa Huberman gets from her laundry client. She uses this money to post her letter to her mother. After Rosa beats her, Liesel realizes she will never see her mother again. She sheds one yellow tear which symbolizes the yellow Star of David. Liesel’s mother with many other Jews had been taken into concentration camps and were mass murdered.
During the book burning in Mochling (pronounced Molking), Liesel realizes that Adolf Hitler is responsible for her family’s death. She defies Hans and he forces her to salute Hitler after she screams that she hates Hitler. This is Liesel’s first act of defiance to Nazi Germany. It also marks the occasion for when Liesel steals another burnt book in public. Her motivation to read these books and to learn to write are in sadness of the death of her brother and her rebellion and revolt against the Nazis. Liesel’s brothers death greatly affects Liesel throughout the book and helps her character