Themes:
Courage: The theme of courage can be shown throughout this book and in many of the characters. Liesel, Rudy, Hans, and Max are probably the four most important characters whose actions show this theme. Liesel and Ruddy represent this theme especially when they follow Hans' footsteps in giving out bread during the Jew parade. Both of them knew that they would have to face consequences similar to Han's if they were caught, yet they continued what they were doing. Hans showed his courage when he allowed Max to stay with his family. He knew the risks that were involved for everyone involved but he still accepted the challenge to keep Max safely with him. Max's courage can be seen when he imagines himself standing up to Hitler in his mental battles. Deep down he knows that a Jew would never be able to beat Hitler, yet he still trains and practices.
Power of Words: In this story, Liesel is also known as the "Book Thief" by Rudy because she steals or takes books that do not belong to her and loves to read. Words have influenced her life in so many ways, from the beginning when Max made "The Standover Man" for her to read to the end when she wrote her own book. Liesel understands how words and reading change her overall attitude about the situation she is in. When she is hidden in the basement with her close family and friends, books were what kept them feeling calm and safe. At the end of Liesel's book she writes "I hope of have made them [the books] right." This shows Liesel's understanding of the power of words on her readers. She wants the words to affect her reader just as they have affected her throughout her life.
Separation/Guilt over death: Both the beginning and end of this book end in separation from family and friends. This fact is especially true for Liesel who experiences the most losses. Liesel is first separated from her mother and brother when she leaves to live with Rosa and Hans. This separation also brings the death of her brother. This first act of "abandonment" she experiences leaves her feeling both sad and angry at her only known family at the time. But when she witnesses the lose of her foster family and friends at the end of the book, she feels guilty that she was the only one left alive. But this feeling wears away as time passes and she grows older.
Death: Death is one of the most important aspects of The Book Thief. This is mostly because the narrator of the story is Death himself. Death is shown throughout the whole book at times through war, bombs, suicide, and old age. He is something that no one can escape and all the characters in the story show an understanding of this concept. Though this theme can be connected with many of the characters, most of them handle death with different methods. For example, when Liesel id faced with death at the end of the book, she accepts the fact that it is her turn to die just as many people before her have. But when she experiences the deaths of her family and friends, she does not feel the same way and wishes that they were still alive. Ms. Frau on the other hand handles the deaths of her two sons very differently. She does not feel that her sons died the right way since one of them died in war and the other took his own life.
Fighting for your beliefs: Many of the characters in this novel are similar in that they stand up for what they believe in. Hans fights for his belief in helping the Jews, and especially Max. Even though others may not agree that what Hans is doing is right, he still continues his work because it is something he believes in. As Liesel gets older throughout the book, she also seems to agree with this belief of Hans'. Max on the other hand believes that he can at least try to fight Hitler. He knows that the chances of him winning are not very high but he still manages to "train" and "fight" in the Hubermann's basement.
Power of Words: In this story, Liesel is also known as the "Book Thief" by Rudy because she steals or takes books that do not belong to her and loves to read. Words have influenced her life in so many ways, from the beginning when Max made "The Standover Man" for her to read to the end when she wrote her own book. Liesel understands how words and reading change her overall attitude about the situation she is in. When she is hidden in the basement with her close family and friends, books were what kept them feeling calm and safe. At the end of Liesel's book she writes "I hope of have made them [the books] right." This shows Liesel's understanding of the power of words on her readers. She wants the words to affect her reader just as they have affected her throughout her life.
Separation/Guilt over death: Both the beginning and end of this book end in separation from family and friends. This fact is especially true for Liesel who experiences the most losses. Liesel is first separated from her mother and brother when she leaves to live with Rosa and Hans. This separation also brings the death of her brother. This first act of "abandonment" she experiences leaves her feeling both sad and angry at her only known family at the time. But when she witnesses the lose of her foster family and friends at the end of the book, she feels guilty that she was the only one left alive. But this feeling wears away as time passes and she grows older.
Death: Death is one of the most important aspects of The Book Thief. This is mostly because the narrator of the story is Death himself. Death is shown throughout the whole book at times through war, bombs, suicide, and old age. He is something that no one can escape and all the characters in the story show an understanding of this concept. Though this theme can be connected with many of the characters, most of them handle death with different methods. For example, when Liesel id faced with death at the end of the book, she accepts the fact that it is her turn to die just as many people before her have. But when she experiences the deaths of her family and friends, she does not feel the same way and wishes that they were still alive. Ms. Frau on the other hand handles the deaths of her two sons very differently. She does not feel that her sons died the right way since one of them died in war and the other took his own life.
Fighting for your beliefs: Many of the characters in this novel are similar in that they stand up for what they believe in. Hans fights for his belief in helping the Jews, and especially Max. Even though others may not agree that what Hans is doing is right, he still continues his work because it is something he believes in. As Liesel gets older throughout the book, she also seems to agree with this belief of Hans'. Max on the other hand believes that he can at least try to fight Hitler. He knows that the chances of him winning are not very high but he still manages to "train" and "fight" in the Hubermann's basement.