Themes of The Book Thief

Britta Menk, Molly Van Laar & Jenna Donohoe

The Power of Words

Liesel learns that words hold a remarkable power to compel people in committing acts of cruelty When Liesel is nine years old. She's illiterate. The first book she tries to read, The Grave Diggers Handbook, brings Liesel closer to understanding all of what Hitler is offering in his clever use of propaganda in these times.

Power of Words cont.

Did they deserve any better, these people? How many had actively persecuted others, high on the scent Hitlers gaze, repeating his sentences, paragraphs, and opus? Was Rosa Hubermann responsible? The hider of a Jew? Or Hans? Did they all deserve to die? The children? (Death, p.375) Death compares the plight of German civilians settling in a bomb shelter with the certain death of the Jews trapped in Nazi gas chambers. Death brings up the notion of collective responsibility for Hitler's crimes. While they are all citizens of a nation in the process of killing millions of innocent people, some, like Rosa and Hans, quietly defy the Nazis by hiding a Jew, while others are defenseless children who cannot possibly be held responsible for crimes planned before they were even born

The Reflection of Colors

I do, however, try to enjoy every color I seethe whole spectrum It takes the edge off the stress. It helps me relax. White, Black, and Red are three colors that death sees when he encounters Liesel. Nazi flag

Hans Accordion
the breathe of an accordion. Represents Hans. Hans presences when at war. After the bombing on Liesels street everyone dies, and Hans accordion is the only thing she has left as a memory of her family. Comforts Rosa when Hanss gone at war.

Thievery
By Liesel stealing a book from the book burning, she disobeys Nazi rules. Liesel stealing books shows that she wants to become better educated and has a desire to learn. Liesel breaks into Ilsa's home and steals the book that Ilsa earlier offered to Liesel. Rudy and Liesel steal food with a group of kids because they are hungry. yet Rudy is unable to burglarize a wealthy home despite his anger over the Army having 6 "stolen" his father.