Literature
Professor Moore
21 October, 2014
The Book Thief Questions
1) Death explains that Liesel steals books for different reasons that reflect what is happening in her life at the time which was her brothers death. “Still in disbelief, she started to dig. He couldn't be dead. He couldn't be dead. He couldn't”(5.60). Liesel was incredible hurt and couldn’t stand it. Death says, “The point is, it didn’t really matter what the book was about. It was what it meant that was more important.”(1.38) She steals her first book because it reminded her of her brother after he died. She steals the second book at the book burning to rebel against Hitler. “Then they discovered she couldn't read or write.” (7.25) This is also a reason that Liesel takes book. She cannot read and is determined to learn. She is taught by Hans who immediately bonds with her and teaches her: “Unofficially, it was called the midnight class, even though it commenced at around two in the morning.” (7.30) Liesel also takes The Whistler and The Dream Carrier to add to her collection. One reason Liesel takes The Whistler to get back at Ilsa and finally she takes the Dream Carrier to read to Max while he is in a coma. Each theft had a significance that validated her actions or gave her a memory.
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