In The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, there are many young characters that change and mature throughout the story. They are introduced as young children that know nothing of the horrible things that are happening in their country, but the few characters that survive to the end of the story leave as young adults with a view on life that few people have, one that values words and compassion.
At the beginning of the novel, Liesel arrives on Himmel Street after her brother had passed away. She was scared, nervous, and alone. Hans shows Liesel kindness and compassion, and Liesel begins to trust him. This is a huge point of growing up for children, as they need to have someone to look up to in their lives. Rudy and Liesel are both very childish and immature, as can be expected of two young children. They spend their time running around the streets of Molching, and playing soccer with the other neighborhood children.
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Throughout the story, Rudy must grow up and become more responsible, as his father is drafted to the war, and he must help his mom take care of his family. The Jesse Owens Incident is a huge turning point for Rudy. Rudy’s father tells Rudy important things after he brings him home. “On the way home, Mr. Steiner decided to talk politics with the boy as best he could. Only in the years ahead would Rudy understand it all- when it was too late to bother understanding anything.”. This quote shows that Rudy was told things with the intent of helping him grow up, but he didn’t comprehend or use the things that were spoken to
"The walked on in silence for a while, until Rudy said, ' I just wish I was like Jesse Owens, Papa.'" (page 60) Racial discrimination and prejudice thrived in the time of Hitler's accession and was a behavior innocent, pure and youthful Rudy Steiner didn't comprehend. All he ever wanted was to be like his role model Jesse Owens. The rest of the world like Hitler saw a negro daring against society's judgment of black people, which is why he didn't shake Jesse Owens' hands when he won in the Olympics. In Rudy's eyes, he saw a courageous and hardworking man who deserved that fourth gold medal. Outside forces like the town and his father tried to put out that fire of passion for running but Rudy doesn't understand their perspective. This is where
When readers first meet Liesel Meminger, she is a young girl standing quietly with her mother and brother on the train. At this time, she seems confused and a little bit afraid. She doesn’t know exactly
Self- Confidence is a feeling of trust in one’s abilities,qualities and judgment.In The Book Thief, confidence motivates the characters to survive in Molching through Nazi Germany.Of all characters,Rudy shows his confidence in situations with Tommy Muller, Viktor Chemmel, Franz Deutscher and Liesel . Rudy’s confidence is as strong for the love for Liesel contributes to his survival.Rudy’s confidence led him into being a caregiver, believer and wrongdoer in The Book Thief.
A hero is someone who is willing to worry and think about others before themselves in tough situations. There are many heroes in the story, but there are only three who stood out the most. The first hero is Rudy Steiner. The second hero that stood out was Liesel Meminger. The last hero who stood out the best and didn't care for himself was Hans Hubermann. A hero might also sacrifice their life to help others.
This chapter starts one night when the village is asleep. At this point in time, Jesse Owens is famous around the world...except in Germany. Rudy is young and doesn't know much about what it means to be anything other than German in Germany. Rudy is a HUGE fan of Jesse Owens, so he takes a few pieces of charcoal and colors himself. He goes out to Hubert Oval and sprints across the track, but at the end, someone is waiting for him. His father. Rudy gets a lecture about how he is safe the way he is - blonde hair, blue eyes - and that he should value that because of how quickly Germany is changing. Overall, I think Rudy's father's reaction was great because he didn't blow up or yell, he was kind, and now Rudy knows a lesson he must never forget
Liesel come to love her foster family, Rudy, and even Max. "Not leaving: an act of trust and love, often deciphered by children" (Zusack 37). When Liesel is still new to Himmel street Hans stays with her for hours of the night, this leads to their relationship building to that of a father, daughter type. "Rudy, please, wake up, Goddamn it, wake up, I love you" (Zusack 535) The bombs fells, the town was ripped apart, a 14 year old girl was sleeping in the basement. Liesel survived, she alone survived. Her best friend, the boy who loved her, was killed along with everyone else, Liesel was
In the story, “The Book Thief,” written by Markus Zusak a poor little girl loses everything, but then a family adopts her. A boy named Rudy took water on a winter time day and dispensed it on the road so it would turn into ice, on this road a boy called Otto Sturm voyaged it every day with a picnic basket of food. A boy named Max started to have daydreams during the course of the days. The sweet, lady named Rosa has a foster daughter.
They are always there for each other, no matter how terrifying or terrible the situation is. Rudy is in a program called Hitler Youth, which is required at his age. Rudy and his leader, Franz Deutscher, have a continuous hate for each other, which leads to future problems for Rudy. “He brought him to the ground for a second time, following him down with a knee to the rib cage. Again, Rudy stood up” (Zusak 297). When Rudy was asked the question “When is our Führer’s birthday?”, he continued to answer incorrectly to anger his Hitler Youth leader. When the two met on the street, a brawl began. At a disadvantage in size and strength, Rudy stood no chance, but he refused to give up. The obvious consequences to his act of bravery, or stupidity, did not phase him. “‘I’m not sure this is a good idea.’ He slapped some bread onto her palm. ‘Your papa did.’ How could she argue? It was worth a whipping” (Zusak 440). Not only did Rudy have a courageous heart, but a kind one as well. As the Jews marched along Himmel Street, Rudy and Liesel snuck off to complete Rudy’s sly plan to feed the Jews. By placing bread in the middle of the street, Rudy was proving that he agreed with what Hans did by helping a Jew during the first march. Him and Liesel were nearly caught, which would have made Liesel regret saying “It was worth a whipping”. Whether this was an act of recklessness or dauntlessness, Rudy proved he
In my novel, The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak, Rudy Steiner would definately be considered a best friend because he is willing to stand up for others when everyone else is against them, he is caring, and he is willing to risk his life for someone else's happiness. First of all, Rudy would be considered a best friend because he was willing to stand up for Liesel Meminger, the main character and his soon to be best friend, when all of the other kids where against them. The author wrote, "On this occasion, they tried to force Liesel out. As you might imagine, she protested, and Rudy agreed. 'No, no.' He smiled. 'Let her stay'" (Zusak 47). Not many kids liked Liesel due to the fact that she was the new girl on Himmel street, and Rudy was the only
If you believe in yourself and have dedication, pride, and never quit, you will be successful. Markus Zusak, the author of The Book Thief, creates a story of a young orphan named Liesel Meminger, who is living with her new foster family. She learns the wonders of reading from her foster father and grows to love books. During Liesel’s time with her new family, she shows determination through her efforts and kindness with her encounters with other people. Liesel in The Book Thief expresses her traits, such as hardworking, and bravery.
After losing her mother and her brother, Liesel’s life and identity is changed drastically many times. It is through books that she discovers and becomes comfortable with this change. When she first meets Hans and Rosa Hubermann, her new foster parents, she does not wish to speak with them or get to know them. However, once Hans discovers Liesel with the book she stole when her brother was buried, The Gravedigger’s Manual, they bond over Hans teaching Liesel to read. Liesle describes the first time her and Hans have a lesson in the middle of the night: “She had done this at school, in the kindergarten class, but this time was better. … It was nice to watch Papa’s hand as he wrote the words and slowly constructed the primitive sketches” (Zusak
Everyone’s lives are changed by other people’s actions. In Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief, there are many characters who change throughout the book. Zusak shows many changes in his complex characters, which are usually influenced by other people/things. For example, Hans’ life is saved by switching seats with Reinhold Zucker and the ally bombers kill most of the people on Himmel Street. But they are not just physically affected by others; people’s identities can be affected. In Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief the character’s identities are shaped by outside forces; the chief of which, being Adolf Hitler.
Society shapes our identities and who we are as a person which contributes to how our future turns out but sometimes the paths we are led down are not always the direction we would choose, through the novel's ‘Room’ by Emma Donoghue, ‘The Book Thief’ by Markus Zusak and the films ‘Girl Interrupted’ directed by James Mangold, ‘Sucker Punch’ directed by Zack Snyder, the character’s hardships are shown through the protagonist's lives. The novels both similarly follow children who are exposed to a less than normal world and a harsh version of reality. The Book Thief follows a young girl whose whole life is turned upside down after she loses her mother and brother due to events surrounding WW11 and is then placed in
The Book Thief was written by Australia writer Markus Zusak in 2005. The novel focuses on Liesel, a 12 year old
Hans is a passionate, caring man who earns his living as a house painter by day and an accordion player by night. Liesel believes his eyes show kindness, and is closer to him from the beginning than to her foster mother. He is one of a few in their village who is not a registered member of the Nazi party, which comes to have serious repercussions on the family as the book progresses. Rosa Hubermann is a stern, strong woman who looks like a “wardrobe with a coat thrown over it” and would be “cute,” but appears perpetually annoyed. She peppers her language with epithets like “Saumensch” and “Saukerl” and “Arschloch”. “Sau” refers to “pig” and mensch is girl and kerl is man, arschloch sounds pretty close to its English equivalent. From the beginning Liesel is “saumensch,” which at first refers to Rosa’s annoyance at taking this girl in, even though it does mean more money for the family. But by the end, it has become a term of true endearment. Liesel’s best friend in the village is a little boy named Rudy, “the boy next door who was obsessed with the black American athlete Jesse Owens.” Rudy is in love with Liesel and always pesters her for a kiss, which he does finally receive, after some pretty serious turns in the story. He is a simple, almost naïve boy, and would do almost anything for her, including jumping into a nearly