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The Standover Man Essay

Decent Essays

A) Death of Liesel's brother - Along with marking the beginning of the story this is where Liesel initiates her obsession with stealing books, near his graveside where a book is dropped by one of the gravediggers. The death of her brother, Werner, also haunts her in her sleep which is partly responsible for Hans and Liesel's close relationship.
B) Liesel's school failure - During her earlier days at her new school she had a reading test in front of the class in which she could not read any of the words and was therefore teased about it after. This produced a determination in her to learn to read.
C) Max Vandenburg's arrival - In 1940 a Jew called Max arrives on the doorstep of the Hubermann's house and changes their lives forever. As well as …show more content…

Besides from being a poignant narrative and creating a closer friendship between Max and Liesel, it also provides Liesel with the inspiration to share words, which helps both Max when he fatally sick and her neighbours while stuck in an air-raid shelter.
E) Hans giving out bread to a Jew - This shows the defiance and kind-heartedness of Hans' character as well as causing Max to leave and him to be sent off to the war, which then reveals the affectionate part of Rosa.
F) Rudy being recruited by the Nazis - The Nazis become aware of Rudy's potential and talk to Rudy's parents about recruiting him. This results in Alex Steiner, Rudy's father, going off to war instead of Rudy. When Himmel Street is bombed this permits Alex to live.
G) Max's march to Dachau - Max, along with hundreds of other Jews, are marched through Molching on their way to Dachau. Liesel and Max are temporarily reunited. This scene displays how strong love can be.
H) The book floating down the Amper River - An important book to Liesel is thrown into a freezing river, which Rudy retrieves it for her. It is the last time Rudy asks her to kiss him and at the end, when Rudy dies, Liesel regrets not kissing him then as she secretly did love

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