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The Book Thief Literary Analysis

Decent Essays

Love. Markus Zusak’s historical fiction novel, The Book Thief, tells the story of the Hubermanns living in Germany during World War II. The novel focuses on a young, adopted girl, Liesel, as she grows up and must survive in difficult times. Liesel keeps her morale high during the hard times she faces through her love and friendships with Max, a Jew that the Hubermanns secretly hide in their basement, and Hans, her stepdad. Liesel spends her days in the basement developing a close companionship with Max. Liesel and Max become great “friends,… [and]on her birthday it was [Liesel] who gave a gift to [Max].” (Zusak, 235).The gift she presents represents true friendship. They bring each other happiness with the presence of each other, and their friendship strengthens each time they are together. This special bond between the two emphasizes when Max comes back after the war ends and tracks Liesel down and “they hugged and cried and fell on the floor.” (548). Max and Liesel have become family at this point. Being separated for months and not knowing if the other is alive has a large mental effect on both of them. When they finally reunite, words can not explain their joy. …show more content…

Hans starts teaching Liesel in what death “Unofficially [calls]… the midnight class, even though it commenced at around two in the morning.” (39). The midnight classes start the great friendship between Liesel and Hans, and show Liesel she can trust Hans with anything that troubles her. When Liesel steals a book for the second time, Hans does not punish her or throw her under the bus and tell Rosa. Instead, he tells her “This is our secret, this book. We’ll read it at night or in the basement, just like the others.” (127). This shows Liesel that although she makes mistakes, Hans will always care for her and love

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