...The deeper I get into this historical fiction novel by Markus Zusak, the more interesting and captivating it gets. As the plot and characters develop, I get a deeper understanding of the characters and this makes me connect with them even more. The character I most admire and, in a way, look up to is the main character, Liesel Meminger. I really admire Liesel because when she starts something, she finishes, no matter the circumstances; for example when she was learning how to read, “There were, of course, some problems as well… Just when progress seemed to be flowing well, somehow things would become lodged… but she had neither the selflessness to allow him to sleep… She was a girl with a mountain to climb” (Zusak 71 & 86). Acquiring a new...
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...Whitney Noel Hicks Mrs. Cunningham AP English March 11, 2015 DQ 1 Death Character Analysis In the novel The Book Thief by Markus Zusak the narration is done by Death. As he tells the story of the book thief you catch on to his dark sense of humor. He is amused by how humans see him, “I liken this human idea of the grim reaper.” (Zusak 75) He finds it funny to be thought of as a simply skeleton dressed in a cloak with a scythe. Noticing his amusement with humans he seems to possess human like traits like emotion. Although his job is to take souls he does not enjoy it. So in order to distract himself from the truth of his job he focuses on colors. It is his form of vacation from work. As another form of distraction from his job he collects stories, like the one he is telling now about Liesel. He has these stories saved forever as a way to give himself more meaning. Also perhaps to prove himself wrong about humans, “to prove that you, and your human existence, are worth it.” (Zusak 15) He carries the stories as a way to prove that all humans are destructive when in fear, but are kind like Liesel, Hans, or Rudy. Because of those humans, the one who are destructive, he is result. As he explained in the beginning of the book he is not violent he is just the result of the destructiveness of cowardly...
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...novel The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, it is evident that books, reading, and words themselves represent power for different characters in different ways. Close analysis of Liesel Meminger and Max Vandenburg reveals that power can be achieved through literacy in a context where literacy is severely limited. Literacy plays a major role in Liesel’s adolescence. Liesel obtains power through literacy as it gives her a sense of comfort and control. The act of reading and writing gives Liesel the strength to cope with and heal from her emotional trauma. Reading and finishing the book The Gravedigger’s Handbook helps Liesel find the courage to move on from the loss of her brother. Although Liesel does not yet know how to read when she arrives at the Hubermann’s on Himmel Street, she keeps the book to comfort her, as it is the last object she has relating to her brother. When papa and Liesel finish reading the book, Liesel “trot[s] out, involuntarily” (Zusak 87) by explaining to Hans that her brother’s name “‘was Werner’” (87). The act of Liesel’s words being spoken involuntarily suggests that “she is finding some freedom in the effects of her disturbing experiences” (Lee 14). Liesel does not have to force herself to speak to Hans about her brother as she has gained emotional stability. Additionally, literacy helps Liesel recover from her distress as Hans reads to her nightly. Hans reads to Liesel “to soothe her, to love her” (Zusak 36). Hans’ spoken words from the books and his mollifying...
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