Log #9

Log# 9 The Book Thief

Book: The Book Thief

Author: Markus Zusak

        For the final part of the book, there are many short chapters talking about how Liesel and her father’s action toward the Jews and about the reaction to the war. After Max’s departure, Liesel and her foster parents was in a desperate atmosphere. It was because that they feel guilt for not treating Max well. In one day, the troop led a parade of Jews, walking through the town. What made people’s surprise, Hans gave a piece of bread to a Jew, a Jew who was old enough and couldn’t stand steadily. That old man held Hans’ ankles and started to cry, tearing with touched mood. Of course, both that Jewish person and Hans were punished by whipping. Liesel did the similar thing as her father was when she saw Max in the concentration camp team. These two parts of stories totally show the struggling mind in both Hans and Leisel. The other part which is important one for me is that air strike without warning. This is the plots that make the whole story into truly desperate and hopeless mind. Except for Liesel, all her family died in that air strike, and the Rudy’s family was no exception. After her family passed away, she ended up being adopted by the other foster family, living the rest of her life.

        The issue that I want to focus and discuss the most is the humanity. I can see the different kinds of humanities from different angles at the same time in this book. What impressed me the most is that compared to the troop treated the Jews strictly, Hans and Liesel showed the kind heart of humanity. There was still hopeful lightness hided in such this gray gray desperation. It was not easy for Liesel that she was brave enough challenge the trend, showing the relationship with Max, neglecting others’ thought to her. I admire her strong will and kind heart. If I were her, I would rather hide what I really think of instead of fight against the rule.

        The other part what I care Liesel very much is the air strike. Because of the insomnia, Liesel went to the basement to paint on the wall, missing Max. It is that made her escaped from the air strike, form the death. However, the truth of the death of her family and best friend started to torture this little girl. I put much sympathy on Liesel for all she had encountered during the war period. She experienced the departure of the family, again and again. It is the deep hurt for her, especially in a little age. It was a big challenge for Liesel, but she still hanged it on, with strong will. She really deserved a big applause!