Figurative Language In The Book Thief

Death is a very well-known figure that is feared by many in all countries. He is suspected of being cruel, disturbing and all synonyms of horrifying. Death is inevitable and that is the most fearing aspect of his persona. In Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief, Death is made to seem or resemble humans. Effectively using the narration role, Death introduces a unique description and definition of colors in which he uses as a tool to effectively engage the readers to the events occurring throughout the book. He also demonstrates him personal and different experiences as well, mostly about soul gathering and the implications of WWII that have affected him. On the contrary to Death’s dead, appalling and scary nature that many interpret him to be

Narration is important in almost any book,  which is why it is especially important in   Mark Zusak’s: The Book Thief.  He uses foreshadowing, perspective, and interaction with the  reader to make the book so much more interesting. Zusak's selection of Death as the narrator heavily changes and alters the way the book is read. Death allows the reader to have a completely new and different perspective of Death itself, he heavily foreshadows very important events in the book, and he interacts with the reader many times throughout the book. By presenting death as the narrator, Zusak provides a more outside and impartial view of humanity’s pain and suffering (Johnson).

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.

In the chapter Death’s Diary: 1942, Death makes the vague comment “I do not carry a sickle or scythe… Do you want to know what I truly look like? I’ll help you out. Find yourself a mirror while I continue.” On the surface, this quote simply describes the appearance of our narrator (Zusak 211).

Figurative language is a language that uses words or expressions with a meaning that is different from the literal interpretation. When the author uses literary language, he or she is stating the facts as they are. Figurative language is very common in poetry, and is also used in prose and nonfiction as well. In the stories “The Treasure of Lemon Brown” by Walter Dean Myer and “ The Contender” by Robert Lipsyte the authors use figurative language to describe the mood, setting, and the characters.

The movie is an adaption of book written by Markus Zusak, who has won many awards and sold over a million copies of the book worldwide. Brian Percival’s movie adaptation did a wonderful job depicting the complex nature of the book and what it was like to live as a child during World War Two. What was interesting about the story was that Death was the narrator

Figurative language is language that which expressions with a different meaning from what it may seem like at if taken literally. By using figurative language, it allows for authors to better develop points, ideas, actions, or scenery. In the stories “Canyons” written by Gary Paulsen and “Treasure of Lemon Brown” written by Walter Dean Myers the authors use figurative language to develop the scene and characters in a creative way and more interesting way for the reader.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is a story set in Germany during World War 2. This novel follows the life of Liesel Meminger, a girl who develops greatly. With Death as the all knowing narrator of the story, the reader has the ability to see various perspectives. It tells the story of oppression, portrays the power of words, and shows the human ability for kindness or cruelty. I chose to do option four, in which I have chosen important sections from the novel.

Words are everywhere, words make up books, and the power of words make The Book Thief which will never be able to be improved upon. Words help us communicate with others, but mainly they have positive and negative sides to them. In the novel, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Death narrates the story while Liesel Meminger also tells her story of living in Nazi, Germany. We will discuss how there are many people such as Max Vandenburg and Liesel Meminger who choose to use to use their power of words in the positive way. We will also discuss how people also like to use their power of words in the negative way such as Adolf Hitler. The power of words are very effective especially in Markus Zusak’s writing, and we’ll discuss the main parts of the book which have been effected with the power of words.

The Book Thief written by Markus Zusak shows how the impact on the power of language has on Liesel Meimeger through the structure of the novel. The structure of the novel shows the development of the character Liesel, highlighting the impact of the power of language. In her development, she finds the ability to express herself as well as to connect to others. Books become a comfort to her and heal her, they help her grow strong relationships with other characters in her life. However, she also sees the damage words have caused through Nazi propaganda, understanding that Hitler 's words have been the cause of suffering of the people in her life. Despite this, the structure of the novel shows the ability of the character to understand that

Edgar Allan Poe is a famous well known writer known for his dark and gothic horror stories such as “The Tell-Tale Heart” and many others. The well-known author had a rough life which dealt with a lot of death, so most of his stories revolve around this idea. In “The Cask of Amontillado” and “The Masque of the Red Death” Poe uses similar themes or darkness to convey tone and conflict throughout the story. His writing style is dark and revolves around one main concept: death. Edgar Allan Poe uses diction and syntax, setting and conflict, and characterization in his writing style to develop his stories.

Markus Zusak, the author of The Book Thief, displays several ways to help readers analyze the story. He uses diction, imagery, details, language, and syntax which allows his audience to master the content in the story.

Markus Zusak develops the theme the power of words in this novel by using words to create comfort and serenity throughout the time of the war. Words are used to help develop ideas, thoughts, and knowledge for young Liesel Meminger as she reads the books she steals from the mayor’s library. Liesel begins school not knowing anything at all including how to read and write. She learns from her adopted father, Hans Hubermann, who takes Liesel in since her parents are not capable of taking care of her. Each night, Hans reads to Liesel hoping she will develop and learn how to read and pronounce words. In the basement of the Hubermanns, Hans has walls which include the alphabet letters printed on them. Liesel and Hans develop a bond between them as he teaches her words. Words comfort Liesel as she goes through the hard times and makes her want to read more. The Hubermanns take in a Jew named Max along with Liesel. Liesel and Max become closer and grow a bond

The first half of the chapter being from Deaths perspective, shows the warmth and fluidity that Death shows when carrying humans from life to death. Death shows care and love ‘he kissed the smaller ones goodnight’ and ‘carried them away, in his arms’ (pp. 563-573). The text however, comes to a close from Liesel's perspective. She runs between loved ones blind to the care taken by Death and only sees their ‘bodies lying tangled in the gravel’ and her future without them. This section of the text Juxtaposes the way humans see death (from the perspective of Liesel), and they way they should view death (from the perspective of Death). Furthermore, the author utilises Irony to explore ‘the Nature of Death’. ‘It kills me sometimes how people die’ (p. 494) is a statement from death himself. This depicts an image of Death’s own disgust at the monstrosity and barbarity of humans. However, not a death itself, he does not blame death he blames people. Therefore, through the use of literary techniques such as foreshadowing, juxtaposition, and Irony, Zusak depicts a clear distinction between how humans view death, brutal and harsh, and how they should view death, a

He heard a quote that he thought of that made him think about personifying Death to be the narrator. “Here’s a book set during the war. Everyone says war and death are best friends” (“In His Own Words. A Conversation With Markus Zusak”).