In The Book Thief written by Markus Zusak, it is evident that literacy is powerful in times of crisis, trauma, or development because the protagonist Liesel is able to use literacy to help cope during the difficult times she had to experience due to World War II. She uses it as a distraction to set her mind on the story the book reveals instead of the tragedies that are occurring simultaneously. One example of the power literacy has during tragic times is provided in Document E where David Ulin, the author of the piece, describes how reading can serve as something that can comfort you or as an illusion to help the reader get lost in another world. It states, “…allows us, however fleetingly, to inhabit, literally, his or her own eyes.” This …show more content…
For example, in Document F it describes a girl who always carries around a book no matter where she goes. She also describes how attached she is to this book because the poet says, “Stories without corners./ She will have two families./ They will eat at different hours.” This shows how literacy can be different from other alternatives because literacy allows the reader to absorb into the story and can provide a comfort that can only be found in books. The girl in this poem even considers this comfort another family, something she can enjoy just like the comfort her own family gives her. In The Book Thief Liesel uses her stolen books in a similar manner. Before she came to the Hubermanns, she had lost two family members, and soon after she lost her entire family. Although the Hubermanns did their best to take care of her at first, Liesel was still uncomfortable in her new surroundings. In addition, she also had frequent nightmares and was not able to sleep at night. In order to find comfort, she tried reading a book she found at her brother’s funeral, with the help of Hans Hubermann. Thus, Liesel has a special connection to her books, just like she has a special connection with her biological family, as well
The Book Thief, written by an Australian author, Markus Zusak, is a devastatingly powerful historical-fiction novel that bears several re-readings. Being one of the greatest, most divinely-written epilogues in my school library, The Book Thief, is a soul-shattering, thought-provoking story that undoubtedly can be recommended to the young and old alike. This poignant, prolonged, but achingly sad book, is the pinnacle of contemporary historical-fiction, poised to become a classic. Phenomenally breathtaking, and inspiring, bringing nothing but anticipatory dread, this lyrical, surreal book, though depressingly morbid at times, was my “gateway” to historical-fiction. The tribulations and trials provided in the novel, had inevitable passion, perspective
Literacy has the power to transform us. By reading we learn new things and we are more likely to express ourselves to others. We can understand another’s language, other cultures, and know the way others way of thought.
The Book Thief is set in the time of World War 2 where the Holocaust is present and disaster is everywhere. Throughout the story, Liesel, the main character, learns that words are extremely powerful and hold the ability for people to use them for good or for evil. Among the disaster and altercations, Liesel uses her literature to comfort her and make herself more powerful due to her knowledge, which demonstrates the theme of the story, the comfort and power of literature and words softens the pain of loss.
I can recall many people who have enriched my literacy development in some way or another throughout my life. The most influential literacy sponsors in my life include my mother, myself, my high school English teacher, and even my librarian. Even the authors Deborah Brandt, and Malcom X have supported my claim. The essay, “Sponsors of Literacy” was written by Deborah Brandt, who connected her writing with her sponsors. Malcom X’s essay, “Learning to Read”, reminded me of one of the most important things I know. These people, myself included, have made a crucial impact on the literacy information I have and will always need in order to succeed with literature and in life itself.
Literacy plays a huge role in many people’s lives everyday, whether it is learning how to read and write for the first time or writing a five-page essay for the hundredth time. We experience literacy differently and have our very own unique stories on how it has impacted our lives and had made us who we are today. It is an essential aspect that I use in my everyday life, such as in relationships, daily interactions with others, and learning. It has become such a powerful aspect and human right in which it allows one to speak his/her mind and in some cases express their opinion to the world. My personal literacy history has shaped me into who I am today because without my experiences I would not have been able to gain the confidence and
The Book Thief is about a young German girl named Liesel Meminger as she goes through life while living in Germany in 1939. Liesel and her foster parents live a normal life on 33 Himmel Street. There is only one difference between their family and the others, they are hiding Max Vandenburg (a Jewish man) in their basement during the time of the Holocaust. This story, narrated by Death follows the life of Liesel from her first step into 33 Himmel Street, until the day she died in Sydney, Australia.
Since a child going up, literacy was not my strong suit. Literacy throughout my life seem not to cope with me. Later as I grew up, literacy meant to me that it is one’s ability to read, write, and speak. More importantly there is a more meaning of literacy, meaning that not only writing, reading, and speaking, but able to understand, analyze, and communicate with other peoples’ ideas. Soon enough literacy has made an impact on my life, it has been and will be a lifelong process. Literacy will always be with me, starting from my past and ending in my future.
Literacy plays a huge role in my daily life. Every single day I read and write. Whether it’s writing an email or reading a text message, class assignment, discussion board, etc. My literacy journey is unique because I have had different experiences. As a result, this is how my literacy journey has let me to be the reader that I am.
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.
Liesel most definitely could have trusted Rudy with the secret of having Max hidden in her basement. Rudy was clearly Liesel’s best friend and partner in crime when Liesel was doing her acts of thievery stealing the books from the mayor’s wife bookself. The devotion to Liesel Rudy also had was strong and I believe Liesel could have trusted Rudy.
The message that comes out of the literacy narrative is that I started to enjoy writing once it was made simple to me. Also that I like it even better when the topic is not professional. When it comes to reading, I am very picky. I only read the books with specific genres. I do not go out of my comfort zone when it comes to reading because when I do, I do not enjoy what I am reading.
Amber Wiltse’s literacy narrative begins with “How do you go from this… to this” (Wiltse 645). This beginning is effective in getting the reader's attention, along with conveying the author's message. Her combination of narrative writing and photographic visuals illustrates the way that literacy has influenced who she is today. Amber starts with a picture of her when she is a baby and then places a picture of her as a senior, she parallels the following caption with these photos “How Do You Go from this… to this? The answer is literacy” (Witse 645-646). This example shows how literacy has influenced her life, and helped her to mature, and grow into the women she was when she wrote her narrative. The photo of Amber’s brother and her embracing
The Book Thief has helped me overcome fear, as well as teaching me about the holocaust. It showed me how powerful Liesel and her words can go, and teaching me I can overcome anything as long as I persist through the problem. You even put death as the narrator, which shows how horrible this war was, and the amazing story of Liesel.
Literacy is defined as being literate, that is, being able to read and write in a language. My personal experience with literacy began at an early age, at the age of 4 when I began to sit and read words and letters in the back of my mother’s car. Soon enough, she would bring me a magazine called “Majed” which, in the 90’s, was a popular magazine. With this, I began even more interested in reading and writing and reviewed every word in the magazine associated with each of the short pictured stories. It was the first memory I deeply recall of literacy and it was what laid the foundation for my personal love of reading and writing. The methodology used for this is an interview. There are three interviews which are analyzed and brought together in the form of a narrative. This narrative serves to better explain the emotions and thoughts that the interviewees had about the idea of literacy.
Everyday our lives are affected by literacy and most people do not even notice it. When I read a menu at a restaurant or a book from a library I do not realize how unbelievable it is to read such things. I do not notice how amazing and extraordinary it is to be able to have this privilege. Literature is everywhere and it not only changes our lives for the better but it also changes who you are and how you choose to see things.