SUMMARY
Exposition:
Setting-
Takes place on Himmel Street Molching, Germany during World War II
Main Characters-
Liesel Meminger: Has a love for books, steals them, and reads them to others
Rudy Steiner: 10 years old (at the beginning), obsessed with Jesse Owens, and friends with Liesel
Max Vandenburg: 22 year old (when he first is in the story) Jewish "struggler"
Hans Hubermann: Liesel's foster father, who doesn't agree with the Nazis, and hides Max
Rosa Hubermann: Liesel's abusive foster mother in the beginning, but learns to be a comforter
Death: Narrator with human emotions, who tries to give us a meaning to his job
Isla Hermann: Mysterious woman who lets Rosa steal books from her and ends up saving Liesel's life
Main Conflict-
Liesel not being able to do more for Max
Background Information-
Germany is under the control of Hitler
Hitler wrongfully accused Jews and wanted to destroy them and create the perfect German race
Nazis forced Jews to work to death at concentration camps
Rising Action:
Liesel's brother died, she picked up The Grave Digger's Handbook and Liesel arrived at her foster parent's house
Liesel stole her first book at Hitler's birthday party and she realized her father was communist
Max's arrival and departure
Hans fed a Jew and suffered the consequences
Climax:
Himmel Street is bombed: Liesel had to accept everything she had and cared about is gone
Falling Action:
Liesel finds her parents and Rudy
Resolution:
Liesel went to live with the mayor's family
Max returns
Liesel died in Australia
SETTING/TIME PERIOD
During World War II, Hitler dictated Germany and tried to take over the world. He attempted to create the "perfect race" and in the process killed six million Jews. Here are some of the major battles and events that took place.
15 Mar 1939: Hitler annexes Czechoslovakia
1 Sep 1939: Germany invades Poland
3 Sep 1939: The Miracle at Dunkirk
3 Sep 1939: The Phony War
10 Jul 1940: The Battle of Britain
22 Jun 1940: The Fall of France
(Look at video on first page)
MAIN CHARACTERS ANALYSIS
Liesel Meminger-
Liesel is the protagonist adopted girl in the story with blonde hair and brown eyes. "Was a close enough brand of German blonde."(pg. 31) Her father left her and her mother was forced to give her up for adoption. On the train, Warner, her brother dies. "With one eye open, one still in a dream, the book thief-also known as Liesel Meminger-could see without question that her younger brother, Werner, was now sideways and dead." (pg. 20)She becomes very close with Hans, her foster father, but at first struggles with her foster mother, Rosa. Liesel makes friends with Max, the Jew their hiding, and Isla Hermann, who lets her "steal" books from her. She meets other kids on her street and is especially fond of Rudy Steiner. She denies the kiss he begs for, but she clearly loves him. He doesn't get the kiss until he's dead. Many years later, Liesel gets married and has kids.
Rudy Steiner-
He is Liesel's skinny blue eyed, blonde haired neighbor who doesn't agree with the Nazis. Rudy has five siblings and never has enough food. He is obsessed with Jesse Owens and once painted himself black to look like him and ran around the field. The Nazis come to get him because he's smart and athletic; he doesn't go, so they take his father, Alex Steiner. He often gets in trouble at the Hitler Youth because he speaks his mind and is rebellious. Liesel and him become best friends who help each other. "Saukerl," she laughed, and as she held up her hand, she knew completely that he was simultaneously callin her a Saumensch. I think that's as close to love as eleven-year-olds can get." (pg. 144) He often asks her for a kiss and doesn't get it until he's dead after the bombing. “A book floated down the Amper River. A boy jumped in, caught up to it, and held it in his right hand. He grinned. He stood waist-deep in the icy, Decemberish water. “How about a kiss, Saumensch?” he said.” (pg. 241)
Max Vandenburg-
He has brown eyes and Liesel says he has feathery hair. “ 'This is Max,' the woman said, but the boy was too young and shy to say anything. he was skinny, with soft hair, and his thick, murky eyes watched as the stranger played one more song in the heavy room. " (pg.179) Max was a "Jewish fist-fighter" who's father was friends with Hans and saved his life. Hans gave Max's mom his address in case they needed anything. Years later she asks him for help and Max then goes to the Hubermann's house to hide. While there, he makes great friends with Liesel because they both have nightmares and enjoy words. During his time there, they exchange many gifts despite the economical condition. Liesel talks to Max even when he's sick and tells him the weather since he can't go outside. “The sky is blue today, Max, and there is a big long cloud, and it's stretched out, like a rope. At the end of it, the sun is like a yellow hole. . .” (pg. 249) Unfortunately, he was taken to a concentration camp but came back to 33 Himmel Street.
Hans Hubermann-
He's very tall with silvery-gray eyes but is known to blend into the crowd. "Liesel observed the strangeness of her foster father's eyes. They were made of kindness, and silver. […] Upon seeing those eyes, understood that Hans Hubermann was worth a lot." (pg.34) Hans is Liesel's foster father, who is a painter, and he loves to smoke cigarettes. He was the only one in his company to survive World War I because he was chosen to write letters. During the war, Erik Vandenburg teaches him how to play the accordion. "Do you still play the accordion?" Hans does not agree with the Nazi party, but he's forced to join and is drafted in the German army. He loves Liesel very much and comforts her after her nightmares and teaches her how to read. Hans doesn't get along with Hans Jr. because he's for the Nazi party. He dies in the Himmel Street bombing.
Rosa Hubermann-Rosa is short and wrinkly with brown-gray hair often tied in a bun and "chlorinated" eyes. She is Liesel's mother who often swears and yells at her. Her job consists of doing the laundry for wealthier families. Eventually, she loses all of the households due to the economic problems caused by the war. Rosa is quick tempered and has straightened out quite a few other foster children, but she has a special care for Liesel. Her own children are Trudy and Hans Jr. She also dies in the Himmel Street bombing. “She was a Jew feeder without a question in the world on that man's first night in Molching. She was an arm reacher, deep into a mattress, to deliver a sketchbook to a teenage girl." (532)
Death-
Death is the narrator and has human qualities and surprisingly very much dislikes war and violence. He evaluates human kind by watching Liesel even though he admits it's a mistake. He saves Liesel's book and gives it to her many years later when she dies. Every soul death carries Death is sympathetic towards. "I am haunted by humans". (pg. 550) "...at some point on time I will be standing over you, as genially as possible. Your soul will be in my arms. A color will be perched on my shoulder. I will carry you gently away." (pg. 4) It appears he doesn't have control over survival and death and questions God by saying he doesn't understand why the person had to die. Even though he isn't human, he does more human like acts than immortal acts. Death mentions he dislikes his job, but he can't take a vacation because no one could substitute for him. He ends up being very sarcastic and funny.
Isla Hermann-
She is the mayor of Molching's wife. Johannes Hermann, her son, was killed in Russia. She gets very depressed over this. "The point is, Ilsa Hermann had decided to make suffering her triumph. When it
refused to let go of her, she succumbed to it. She embraced it." (pg.146) "Don't punish yourself, like you said you would. Don't be like me..." (pg.524) Liesel and Rosa do their washing until they fire them, which creates an argument with Liesel. Despite this, Isla lets her come and read books in her library. She fosters Liesel after the bombing.
THEMES
Love-
The Book Thief characters learn how to love during tragedy. Also, there is romantic love between Liesel and Rudy. Small acts of kindness make a big impact. For example, giving someone a piece of crust of bread. It is necessary for these characters to love in the cruel world that they're living in.
War-
The war effects the characters lives and difficult choices they have to make. Death hates the war because it prevents him from taking a vacation.
Criminality-
This book gives us a different view about breaking the law. Many people were forced to create crimes during World War II. When Rudy and Liesel steal books and food, they are risking their lives.
Suffering-
Throughout every part of The Book Thief there is suffering from abuse to guilt.
Courage-
The first example is when Max leaves and goes to 33 Himmel Street. The Hubermann's were very courageous when they hid Max in their house. By the end of the book, courage becomes a major part of all the characters lives. They resist laws and display rebel acts in public becomes very risky, but they do what they think is right.
SYMBOLS
Swastika-
The swastika throughout Germany becomes to symbolize Hitler and the Nazi Party. For those her were for him, it meant power and strength, but to those who didn't agree with him, it brought terror and fear. Overall, swastikas were a sign of prejudice and hatred.
Sky-
When Death refers to the sky, he is trying to distract himself from the cruelty going on around him. He thinks that the color of the sky relates to the person that died. The sky could be red, gray, bright, dark, etc.
Boxing-
Boxing overall symbolizes a struggle. Max pictures himself fighting Hitler and incorporates boxing into his drawings. It also gives Max hope that someday Hitler will be defeated.
Exposition:
Setting-
Takes place on Himmel Street Molching, Germany during World War II
Main Characters-
Liesel Meminger: Has a love for books, steals them, and reads them to others
Rudy Steiner: 10 years old (at the beginning), obsessed with Jesse Owens, and friends with Liesel
Max Vandenburg: 22 year old (when he first is in the story) Jewish "struggler"
Hans Hubermann: Liesel's foster father, who doesn't agree with the Nazis, and hides Max
Rosa Hubermann: Liesel's abusive foster mother in the beginning, but learns to be a comforter
Death: Narrator with human emotions, who tries to give us a meaning to his job
Isla Hermann: Mysterious woman who lets Rosa steal books from her and ends up saving Liesel's life
Main Conflict-
Liesel not being able to do more for Max
Background Information-
Germany is under the control of Hitler
Hitler wrongfully accused Jews and wanted to destroy them and create the perfect German race
Nazis forced Jews to work to death at concentration camps
Rising Action:
Liesel's brother died, she picked up The Grave Digger's Handbook and Liesel arrived at her foster parent's house
Liesel stole her first book at Hitler's birthday party and she realized her father was communist
Max's arrival and departure
Hans fed a Jew and suffered the consequences
Climax:
Himmel Street is bombed: Liesel had to accept everything she had and cared about is gone
Falling Action:
Liesel finds her parents and Rudy
Resolution:
Liesel went to live with the mayor's family
Max returns
Liesel died in Australia
SETTING/TIME PERIOD
During World War II, Hitler dictated Germany and tried to take over the world. He attempted to create the "perfect race" and in the process killed six million Jews. Here are some of the major battles and events that took place.
15 Mar 1939: Hitler annexes Czechoslovakia
1 Sep 1939: Germany invades Poland
3 Sep 1939: The Miracle at Dunkirk
3 Sep 1939: The Phony War
10 Jul 1940: The Battle of Britain
22 Jun 1940: The Fall of France
(Look at video on first page)
MAIN CHARACTERS ANALYSIS
Liesel Meminger-
Liesel is the protagonist adopted girl in the story with blonde hair and brown eyes. "Was a close enough brand of German blonde."(pg. 31) Her father left her and her mother was forced to give her up for adoption. On the train, Warner, her brother dies. "With one eye open, one still in a dream, the book thief-also known as Liesel Meminger-could see without question that her younger brother, Werner, was now sideways and dead." (pg. 20)She becomes very close with Hans, her foster father, but at first struggles with her foster mother, Rosa. Liesel makes friends with Max, the Jew their hiding, and Isla Hermann, who lets her "steal" books from her. She meets other kids on her street and is especially fond of Rudy Steiner. She denies the kiss he begs for, but she clearly loves him. He doesn't get the kiss until he's dead. Many years later, Liesel gets married and has kids.
Rudy Steiner-
He is Liesel's skinny blue eyed, blonde haired neighbor who doesn't agree with the Nazis. Rudy has five siblings and never has enough food. He is obsessed with Jesse Owens and once painted himself black to look like him and ran around the field. The Nazis come to get him because he's smart and athletic; he doesn't go, so they take his father, Alex Steiner. He often gets in trouble at the Hitler Youth because he speaks his mind and is rebellious. Liesel and him become best friends who help each other. "Saukerl," she laughed, and as she held up her hand, she knew completely that he was simultaneously callin her a Saumensch. I think that's as close to love as eleven-year-olds can get." (pg. 144) He often asks her for a kiss and doesn't get it until he's dead after the bombing. “A book floated down the Amper River. A boy jumped in, caught up to it, and held it in his right hand. He grinned. He stood waist-deep in the icy, Decemberish water. “How about a kiss, Saumensch?” he said.” (pg. 241)
Max Vandenburg-
He has brown eyes and Liesel says he has feathery hair. “ 'This is Max,' the woman said, but the boy was too young and shy to say anything. he was skinny, with soft hair, and his thick, murky eyes watched as the stranger played one more song in the heavy room. " (pg.179) Max was a "Jewish fist-fighter" who's father was friends with Hans and saved his life. Hans gave Max's mom his address in case they needed anything. Years later she asks him for help and Max then goes to the Hubermann's house to hide. While there, he makes great friends with Liesel because they both have nightmares and enjoy words. During his time there, they exchange many gifts despite the economical condition. Liesel talks to Max even when he's sick and tells him the weather since he can't go outside. “The sky is blue today, Max, and there is a big long cloud, and it's stretched out, like a rope. At the end of it, the sun is like a yellow hole. . .” (pg. 249) Unfortunately, he was taken to a concentration camp but came back to 33 Himmel Street.
Hans Hubermann-
He's very tall with silvery-gray eyes but is known to blend into the crowd. "Liesel observed the strangeness of her foster father's eyes. They were made of kindness, and silver. […] Upon seeing those eyes, understood that Hans Hubermann was worth a lot." (pg.34) Hans is Liesel's foster father, who is a painter, and he loves to smoke cigarettes. He was the only one in his company to survive World War I because he was chosen to write letters. During the war, Erik Vandenburg teaches him how to play the accordion. "Do you still play the accordion?" Hans does not agree with the Nazi party, but he's forced to join and is drafted in the German army. He loves Liesel very much and comforts her after her nightmares and teaches her how to read. Hans doesn't get along with Hans Jr. because he's for the Nazi party. He dies in the Himmel Street bombing.
Rosa Hubermann-Rosa is short and wrinkly with brown-gray hair often tied in a bun and "chlorinated" eyes. She is Liesel's mother who often swears and yells at her. Her job consists of doing the laundry for wealthier families. Eventually, she loses all of the households due to the economic problems caused by the war. Rosa is quick tempered and has straightened out quite a few other foster children, but she has a special care for Liesel. Her own children are Trudy and Hans Jr. She also dies in the Himmel Street bombing. “She was a Jew feeder without a question in the world on that man's first night in Molching. She was an arm reacher, deep into a mattress, to deliver a sketchbook to a teenage girl." (532)
Death-
Death is the narrator and has human qualities and surprisingly very much dislikes war and violence. He evaluates human kind by watching Liesel even though he admits it's a mistake. He saves Liesel's book and gives it to her many years later when she dies. Every soul death carries Death is sympathetic towards. "I am haunted by humans". (pg. 550) "...at some point on time I will be standing over you, as genially as possible. Your soul will be in my arms. A color will be perched on my shoulder. I will carry you gently away." (pg. 4) It appears he doesn't have control over survival and death and questions God by saying he doesn't understand why the person had to die. Even though he isn't human, he does more human like acts than immortal acts. Death mentions he dislikes his job, but he can't take a vacation because no one could substitute for him. He ends up being very sarcastic and funny.
Isla Hermann-
She is the mayor of Molching's wife. Johannes Hermann, her son, was killed in Russia. She gets very depressed over this. "The point is, Ilsa Hermann had decided to make suffering her triumph. When it
refused to let go of her, she succumbed to it. She embraced it." (pg.146) "Don't punish yourself, like you said you would. Don't be like me..." (pg.524) Liesel and Rosa do their washing until they fire them, which creates an argument with Liesel. Despite this, Isla lets her come and read books in her library. She fosters Liesel after the bombing.
THEMES
Love-
The Book Thief characters learn how to love during tragedy. Also, there is romantic love between Liesel and Rudy. Small acts of kindness make a big impact. For example, giving someone a piece of crust of bread. It is necessary for these characters to love in the cruel world that they're living in.
War-
The war effects the characters lives and difficult choices they have to make. Death hates the war because it prevents him from taking a vacation.
Criminality-
This book gives us a different view about breaking the law. Many people were forced to create crimes during World War II. When Rudy and Liesel steal books and food, they are risking their lives.
Suffering-
Throughout every part of The Book Thief there is suffering from abuse to guilt.
Courage-
The first example is when Max leaves and goes to 33 Himmel Street. The Hubermann's were very courageous when they hid Max in their house. By the end of the book, courage becomes a major part of all the characters lives. They resist laws and display rebel acts in public becomes very risky, but they do what they think is right.
SYMBOLS
Swastika-
The swastika throughout Germany becomes to symbolize Hitler and the Nazi Party. For those her were for him, it meant power and strength, but to those who didn't agree with him, it brought terror and fear. Overall, swastikas were a sign of prejudice and hatred.
Sky-
When Death refers to the sky, he is trying to distract himself from the cruelty going on around him. He thinks that the color of the sky relates to the person that died. The sky could be red, gray, bright, dark, etc.
Boxing-
Boxing overall symbolizes a struggle. Max pictures himself fighting Hitler and incorporates boxing into his drawings. It also gives Max hope that someday Hitler will be defeated.