Premium Essay

The Standover Man Analysis

Submitted By
Words 164
Pages 1
4. All throughout Max’s life, he has had “standover men” watching over him. As stated in “The Standover Man”, the first was his father, the second was his friend, and the third was not a man at all; It was a young girl. The young girl was filled with loyalty and compassion, unlike his father who abandoned him. This ignites a change in Max. Instead of being surrounded by a void filled with hatred and abandonment, he is encased with comfort and compassion. “Now I think we are friends, the girl and me. On her birthday, it was she who gave a gift - to me. It makes me understand that the best standover man I’ve ever known is not a man at all…”(235) This is especially beneficial to Max, as he is in a very vulnerable state and in need of protection.

Similar Documents

Free Essay

The Book Thief Essay

...Historically, people have used literacy to obtain political power. In the 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...

Words: 2006 - Pages: 9