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Figurative Language In The Book Thief

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The Book Thief Analysis Essay “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” This quote said by Albert Einstein shows what life is like.At one point in life everything could be terrible and then another time it could be great. The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak, is a story of ups and downs. At one point, Liesel is in complete misery and then another she is happy. She starts to realize that there is a universal balance of good and bad. However, she did not always understand this balance. Markus Zusak uses figurative language and structure to develop the theme that there is balance in the universe of good and bad.
Death is a natural thing in life. Everyone at one point will die. Although it is a fact that is common, when it happens to someone it feels more personal and miserable. Liesel felt the same way when her brother died. The author wrote “Why do they always shake them?”and “Her heart at that point was slippery and hot, and loud, so loud, so loud.” (pg. 21). This tactile imagery describes what Liesel feels about her brother’s death which is extreme sadness, shock and disbelief of what is happening. By saying that Liesel shook her brother it is inferred that she thought that there was a chance that he could still be alive thus she has not moved on. Also the words “slippery, hot and loud” show that …show more content…

In the beginning Liesel did not see the balance but started to experience it. In the middle she understands the balance but does not fully acknowledge it. Lastly, in the end she realizes the balance and finally knows that the bad will always be balanced out by the good. Throughout the whole book the readers have been following Liesel’s life and ultimately realized that the balance is truly there. One’s life could be dreadful but like the sky the sun always comes

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