The Book Thief
Alex Tafoya, Ian Henggeler
In “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak, beauty and brutality exist in the characters of Liesel, Rosa, and death, revealing the nature of humanity. The author Markus Zusak wrote this book based in Germany because his parents are german and austrian. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, he discover the world of death by having death narrate the book as if he is telling the book. He does this through symbols and colors of black, white, and red. These colors are important because they are symbols that death uses to contribute to the story and death of people in Germany.
When & Where
It takes place in Germany in the 1940’s. The place Liesel and her foster family is on Himmel street. "That's where they were taking her, to a street by the name of Himmel" (Zusak 26).
Social Context
Rosa, Liesel's foster mother, works for a rich German family. Rosa cleans their wash and takes it back to them every day in order to make enough money to provide for her family in times of need. "This is what i have to put up with. These rich bastards, these lazy swine..." (Zusak 43).
Political Context
In the book “The Book Thief” Hitler has just risen to power and is taking command of Germany, including his Nazi Party Members. “On the streets of Molching that day, each window was decorated for the Fuhrer. In some places, like Frau Diller’s, the glass was vigorously washed, and the swastika looked like a jewel on a red-and-white blanket” (Zusak 102-103).