“I've got a bad case of the 3:00 am guilts - you know, when you lie in bed awake and replay all those things you didn't do right? Because, as we all know, nothing solves insomnia like a nice warm glass of regret, depression and self-loathing.” ― D.D. Barant
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is a historical fiction book, told through the perspective "Death", about Liesel Meminger who is sent to Molching. She has to live with foster parents Hans Hubermann and Rosa Hubermann, when her brother dies and her mother abandons her. Liesel's life changes when she steals her first book, The Grave Digger's Handbook. Liesel explores the words of words and discovers how powerful they can be. Liesel becomes aware of what it really means to be living in Nazi Germany. She makes new friends, enemies, and steals more books. Markus Zusak portrays though his characters how guilt can have power over us.
After stealing another book, Liesel feels anxious and guilty because she was caught. For example it states, "Every minute, every hour there was worry, or more to the point paranoia..." (129). Liesel is perturbed because she know she did something people consider wrong. Liesel shows how the act of doing something wrong, and actually knowing about it, is punishment itself. In other words,the guilt and the torment that is being afflicted on ourselves is worse than any other kind of consequence.
Furthermore, through Hans Hubermann, Markus Zusak shows what guilt can do to our conscience. For example, Eric Vandenburg (who is Jewish) helps Hans during World War I by volunteering him in a written assignment when everyone else is sent into battle. When Eric dies, Hans feels guilty and feels like he owes it to Vandenburg's family to help them in times of needs. So he hides Max Vandenburg during World War II in his basement risking his life. In other words, although hiding a Jew could get Hans into a lot of trouble he feels responsible. He is guilty and is trying to set things right. Markus Zusak is trying to shows that when we feel guilty we try to do good for others so we can ease our guilt.
Additionally, Max Vandenburg feels guilty for surviving. For example, it states, " He wanted to walk out... he knew he wouldn't. It was much the same as the way he left his family in Stuttgart, under a veil of fabricated loyalty. To live. Living was living. The price was guilt and shame." (209) Max feels guilty that he gave up his family so that he could live. Max is trying to shows that you choose what you want, just know what you signed up for. Markus Zusak is trying to show how our needs for survival can make us choose paths we may later regret.
Life is full of ups and downs, sleepless nights we remember mistakes, and the occasional smiles. Our memory is filled with moments from each of these categories. This books has taught me that the world might be cruel but it's because of all that guilt that preys on us. However, the world can be filled with love too, and that can be from guilt because we try to feel good about ourselves again when we are ashamed. This book brings a different view on the world, and proves that not everything is frowns and rainy days, we have to remember all the good things and cherish them forever.
*Synthesis Page:*
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is a historical fiction book, told through the perspective "Death", about Liesel Meminger who is sent to Molching. She has to live with foster parents Hans Hubermann and Rosa Hubermann, when her brother dies and her mother abandons her. Liesel's life changes when she steals her first book, The Grave Digger's Handbook. Liesel explores the words of words and discovers how powerful they can be. Liesel becomes aware of what it really means to be living in Nazi Germany. She makes new friends, enemies, and steals more books. Markus Zusak portrays though his characters how guilt can have power over us.
After stealing another book, Liesel feels anxious and guilty because she was caught. For example it states, "Every minute, every hour there was worry, or more to the point paranoia..." (129). Liesel is perturbed because she know she did something people consider wrong. Liesel shows how the act of doing something wrong, and actually knowing about it, is punishment itself. In other words,the guilt and the torment that is being afflicted on ourselves is worse than any other kind of consequence.
Furthermore, through Hans Hubermann, Markus Zusak shows what guilt can do to our conscience. For example, Eric Vandenburg (who is Jewish) helps Hans during World War I by volunteering him in a written assignment when everyone else is sent into battle. When Eric dies, Hans feels guilty and feels like he owes it to Vandenburg's family to help them in times of needs. So he hides Max Vandenburg during World War II in his basement risking his life. In other words, although hiding a Jew could get Hans into a lot of trouble he feels responsible. He is guilty and is trying to set things right. Markus Zusak is trying to shows that when we feel guilty we try to do good for others so we can ease our guilt.
Additionally, Max Vandenburg feels guilty for surviving. For example, it states, " He wanted to walk out... he knew he wouldn't. It was much the same as the way he left his family in Stuttgart, under a veil of fabricated loyalty. To live. Living was living. The price was guilt and shame." (209) Max feels guilty that he gave up his family so that he could live. Max is trying to shows that you choose what you want, just know what you signed up for. Markus Zusak is trying to show how our needs for survival can make us choose paths we may later regret.
Life is full of ups and downs, sleepless nights we remember mistakes, and the occasional smiles. Our memory is filled with moments from each of these categories. This books has taught me that the world might be cruel but it's because of all that guilt that preys on us. However, the world can be filled with love too, and that can be from guilt because we try to feel good about ourselves again when we are ashamed. This book brings a different view on the world, and proves that not everything is frowns and rainy days, we have to remember all the good things and cherish them forever.
*Synthesis Page:*
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