Reasons Behind Liesel's Book Tievery

In discussion question 3, we analyze the reasons behind Liesel’s book thievery and how they were important to her- emotionally wise and as well as in her outside relationships. To begin with, The Grave Digger’s Handbook is the first book Liesel steals after her brother dies. The reason behind her first “crime” is, as stated on page 38: “… The point is, it didn’t really matter what the book was about. It was what it meant that was more important; [it was] the last time she saw her brother (…) it was the last time she saw her mother.” (pg.38, Zusak) Because of those reasons, it had immortalized one of the first momentous events that occurred in her life. Which leads to the next question - the significance of the titles from the books she steals. “The book [The Book Thief] was divided
66, Zusak). Again, her book thievery also affected one of her other relationships –with Rudy. After being told by the mayor’s wife, Ilsa, that they could no longer pay for the washing, Liesel decided to no longer read in Ilsa’s library and instead steal her books, involving Rudy in her little revenge. His initial reaction to her stealing the book was slight disappointment she didn’t get any food, but from then on, he would always help her whenever she had the craving for another book burglary, branding her with the title of book thief. Besides strengthening the bonds she had with Hans and Rudy, it had also helped form a friendship with the mayor’s wife. Starting out as an act of revenge and Liesel thinking that she was clever with her stealing, it was actually in fact Ilsa allowing her to steal the books. Eventually, Liesel figured this out, and through her gratefulness she was able to forgive and understand the woman she had once hated. Liesel’s book thievery in the library taught her about life and death, images of such appearing all throughout the book, including of Ilsa’s grief when she explained her son’s death: “The mayor's wife tightened. ‘I used to read in