preview

How Is Personification Used In The Book Thief

Decent Essays

Markus Zusak, in his novel The Book Thief, set in 1939 Nazi Germany, raises many ideas, one of which is the power of words. Through various techniques including characterisation, personification, and similes, Zusak conveys messages about the power of words such as their intent, their ability to form bonds between people, and their importance as vessels of language. Many times, throughout The Book Thief, Zusak describes words as if they were living things, which gives them personality and shows us that words can have intent separate to that of the speaker. Through clever personification he gives personality and traits to words, and helps describe the feelings of characters, such as Hans’ “visible” hangover that “heaved itself to his shoulders and sat there like a bag of wet cement.” The words also come to life with descriptive language that shows words were “perched on their shoulders, resting on their heads and hanging from their arms,” as Liesel and Hans spoke, and, in a different light, the weakness of Liesel’s words as they, “fell off the side of the bed, emptying onto the floor like powder.” Words are also described as having a, “human flavour.” This makes the audience …show more content…

The most obvious relationship is that between Hans and Liesel, which is at first facilitated by their reading The Gravedigger’s Handbook. However, words also act as a catalyst for Liesel’s relationships with Max and Rudy, as well as for the comfort of everyone in the shelter. Liesel’s relationship with Max started by asking about Mein Kampf, and upon learning that it was the, “best book ever,” and, “saved [his] life.” Also, stealing books from Ilsa’s library brought Liesel and Rudy, her, “best friend,” closer. Through these scenes and the development of Liesel’s relationships with other characters the audience is shown the power of words in bringing people

Get Access