The Book Thief Part Three ENG2D

What Books Does Liesel Read? The Gravedigger’s Handbook Faust the Dog The Lighthouse The Shoulder Shrug Dictionary (Ilsa leaves in window) The Whistler The Standover Man The Dream Carrier The Word Shaker The Last Human Stranger

What Do The Books Have in Common? Explain the situation in Germany at that time They all tell a story that is similar to her life False faces (Hans hiding his true feelings, Rudy with Hitler Youth) Talk about the power of words – demonstrate it Symbolic of the Nazi regime – murderer who whistles, The Word Shaker They connect people – and offer escape even though they are very dark stories Dark stories for dart times Give Liesel something to live for Opens her mind; shows her that the world isn’t always a nice place; Liesel finds comfort in that because she is not alone in her experience She becomes more aware and develops opinions of her own

How Do The Books Connect to The Book Thief? They represent the norms and regulations in Germany at that time The Standover Man and The Word Shaker were written by Max and explain the Nazi Germany to Liesel and us, the readers Even though Max is Jewish hiding in Nazi Germany, he still has hope They give voice to the outsiders – Liesel, Hubermans, Max, Rudy The Whistler reminds us of Papa and the accordian and how music can lighten even the darkest times up They all illustrate the power of words

Literary Analysis of The Book Thief

Character Traits of Death Emotional Humorous Caring/ hates his job Duty not something he gets pleasure from Distractable He gets attached to people Wit Opinionated Unpredictable: you don’t know when he is going to interject – symbolic of death itself He fears Liesel, and humans in general Fascinated and horrified with human’s ability to violently cruel and murderous to each other and still have such beauty and love so selflessly (even at the same time)

Who Is Liesel Meminger? Orphan Loving and lovable Loyal Illiterate and then literate Considerate Spunky – stealing from the fire Feisty – beats a boy up Playful Mischievous Loves to read Risk taker – thief Trustworthy She kept the secret of hiding Max Traumatized by the loss of her brother and mother Dreamer and has nightmares Stubborn Wise beyond her age? Encouraging – supports Rudy

What is the Significance of Rudy Steiner? Loyal and brave Trustworthy Immature Spunky Trouble maker – steals food from the church Impulsive “permanently hungry” Daring “perfect German” – blonde and blue eyes Generous – gives extra food he stole to others, including the Jews Helpful – helps Tommy Muller in the Hitler Youth Represents what life was like for a boy under Nazi rule Doesn’t like Hitler or the Nazis (father’s influence) Conforms for survival Positive person in a negative era; comic relief friendship

The Hubermanns Hans Rosa Comes across and very harsh and cold Soft Caring Loving Compassionate Gives bread to the Jew Sees the fraud of the Nazi party Good listener Puts others first Intelligent Open Father figure Teacher Positive: sees the good in everyone Patient Doesn’t judge others Understanding Represents the 10% who had their own mind and did not approve of Nazism – quiet rebels Represents hope for Liesel Comes across and very harsh and cold Actually has a big heart Has trouble showing her emotions because of the hardships She good in times of crisis Very strong Bad cook Leader and wants to be a mother figure Loves Hans deeply – accordion scenes Grew to love Liesel as a daughter See this when she comes to school to tell Liesel Max is awake The Hubermanns

The Significance of Max to Liesel and the novel Fighter – not just physically but emotionally Determined Guilty – for leaving his family behind to be safe himself Compassionate Kind Knows the power of words Believer of what is right – integrity Strong physically and mentally Grateful for those who risk their lives to save them He doesn’t blame Hans for giving him away by feeding another Jew on the street Represents the huge number of Jews that were persecuted and hunted down and the Jews who were sheltered by others Represents the Jews who were labelled and persecuted based upon genetics not faith Friend to Liesel and gives her strength When he enters her world things become less black and white and opens her eyes to the real world

The Themes Power of words Hope Death Believing in what is right regardless of the consequences Friendship Trust Loyalty Change Human struggle and suffering Growing up – bildungsroman Stealing Duality of human existence – we are capable of such horrible acts toward each other yet can love so deeply and unconditionally at the same time; we are ugly and beautiful World War II and Holocaust from German perspective Discrimination Poverty Colours

Conflicts Person vs person Person vs himself Person vs society/Nazism/Hitler Jews vs Hitler Liesel vs dreams/imagination/brother Person vs. nature Rudy vs Hitler Rest of world vs. Hitler and Nazi Party Liesel vs Urge to Read

What is the Climax? The bombing of Himmel Street Liesel is saved by words Everyone she loves dies but Max Cannot save Max Realized that she really loved Rudy – kisses him for the first time but he is dead

What is the Resolution? Sees Max one last time Death gives Liesel her book that she wrote which she left behind when Himmel Street was bombed Death is like a guardian/father and now it is time for him to take her

In What Ways Do Words Save Liesel?

What Symbols Are Present and What Do They Represent? The accordian Hope Imagination/creativity Happiness/joy Books Power of words Escape Ability to recognize truth from falsehood Represent real life Wisdom Helps one understand that everyone is troubled; you are not alone; connect people Soccer Ball

What is the significance of Color? Moods Distraction for Death Reds, whites, blacks = Nazi Silver = wisdom, goodness, peace, compassion, imagination/creativity Grey = war, uncertainty, sorrow, prosecution, smoke from burning, destruction, “grey area,” no one is pure good or pure evil, false face Brown Dirty Yellow or green Ray of hope; renewal, ability to start again Sun, sunrise = a new day and a new start Blue = infinity; normality in an abnormal time Calmness, purity, peace, refreshing Purple = beauty; royalty, elegant

Who is the Protagonist? Liesel

Who Is The Antagonist? Hitler and the Nazi Party

What Will You Take Away From The Book Thief? To do what is right and be careful not to just think about ourselves How powerful words are for good and evil Believing in what is right regardless of what you are told to believe I am glad I live in the 21st Century and did not have to experience WWII or the Holocaust Stay positive Always have hope Glad to be Canadian