Academic Challenge Level 2 English-- The Book Thief

Google Search , Google, www.google.com/search?biw=1366&bih=595&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=bombings%2Bww2&oq=Bombings%2B&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.0l4.12689.15861.0.17841.10.10.0.0.0.0.192.1300.0j8.8.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..2.7.1173.0..0i67k1.YbeyJmVXv2c#imgdii=sHD87iyjXkk_dM:&imgrc=82Nz3cSvEFBVQM:  This picture shows one of the bombings that occurred during WWII. This would've been very similar to how it looked when Himmel Street got bombed in The Book Thief.

Google Search , Google, www.google.com/search?biw=1366&bih=595&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=Jew%2Bwalks%2Bww2&oq=Jew%2Bwalks%2Bww2&gs_l=psy-ab.3...181749.184708.0.185345.7.7.0.0.0.0.427.1257.0j2j1j1j1.5.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..2.1.230...0i13i30k1j0i13i5i30k1j0i8i13i30k1.lbFNQKsGMMM#imgdii=TjrNaO0ZV1s4EM:&imgrc=AbW1_pR5aQhIOM: This picture reminded me of the Jewish Parades that took place in The Book Thief . Throughout the book, Liesel watches the parades after Max leaves her. She desperately searches for him in the crowds of faces until she finally finds him again and he gets taken away from her again. 

Google Search , Google, www.google.com/search?q=germany%2Bww2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj8iJ6Hs9fVAhVDzoMKHe7rC0UQ_AUICigB&biw=1366&bih=595#imgrc=NXs03INH28FYIM: The Book Thief was set in Germany in the 1930's during WWII when Jews were being captures and put in concentration camps. Above in the picture, shows five soldiers holding the Nazi Germany flag. This is what Germany and looked like at the time The Book Thief took place in.

Even after thoroughly reading The Book Thief, I am still confused as to why death takes such an interest in Liesel. In the beginning, the only time death really makes an appearance in Liesel’s life was when her brother died. After that, death didn’t play a role in Liesel’s life until the bombings of Himmel Street. Since death narrates the book, the reader sees that death takes a special interest in Liesel and her family and friends. I am confused because death has a large roll in life, however, Liesel didn’t have all that much death in her life. So what was it about Liesel that drew death to her and her life events?

The voice of death narrated The Book Thief and I think that was a very interesting choice for Markus Zusak to make. In the end, it made sense to me why death narrated, however in the beginning I didn’t really understand why it was told from a main character’s point of view like Liesel or Max, or even Hans Hubermann. However, in the end, since everyone died, it made sense for death to narrate. Through Death’s voice, the reader was able to understand the thoughts and emotions of all the characters, versus if it were written from Liesel’s point of view, the reader would’ve know much less about characters such as Max, Rosa, Hans, and Rudy.

The relationship between Liesel and Max changed and developed throughout the course of The Book Thief. Originally, when Liesel and Max first met, they were quite apprehensive towards one another. Max came to the Hubermann’s and at first Liesel was kept away from Max, which caused her to be very confused about his presence.  However, Max and Liesel soon began to bond. Personally, I believe the turning point in their friendship was when Liesel and Max exchanged what their nightmares were about. Liesel, as the reader witnesses early on in the book, was with her brother when he died on the train. Since max has nightmares as well, he shares that he dreams about leaving his family. Their nightmares were both crucial turning points in their life and I believe that’s how they first started their connection.  To me, as I watched Max and Liesel’s relationship grow, I thought they started acting like brother and sister. Max started teaching her new things, such as reading, w...