Book Theif by Markus Zusak Essay

Most good novels allow the reader to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes. Through language, characterisation and relationships the author is able to illustrate significant social issues. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is a tremendously powerful book which captures key significant social issues of the power of words in Nazi Germany; Hitler’s manipulation of words and how people can find comfort in literature, as well as a means of escape. In the ‘Book Thief’, Zusak constantly emphasises the remarkable power and impact words have in relation to the corrupt world of World War Two. Through the use of descriptive language he is able to broaden the readers understanding of Hitler’s abuse of power by manipulating words and propaganda on the German people. Emotions of empathy are evoked when Liesel realizes that Hitler is the reason for her misery; adding to the loss of her childhood innocence. She comes to realize that Hitler is responsible for the war, her brother’s death, mothers suffering and why Max is sent to a concentration camp. â€Å"The words were thrown at the steps and Liesel could feel the slush of anger, stirring hotly in her stomach. ‘ I hate the fuhrer,’ she said. I hate him. † Zusak uses a metaphor, linked with imagery, dialogue and short sentences while at the same time reflecting emotive language to make me realise the importance of the power of words. Words are a powerful persuasive weapon of Hitler’s, and both Liesel, and I come to realise that, ‘without words the Fuhrer was nothing. ’ In this way Zusak has used Hitler’s manipulation of words to not only highlight the power of words in the ‘Book Thief’, but in our real world. Throughout Liesel’s journey Zusak clearly illustrates her growing understanding of Hitler’s manipulation of the power of words. And that he also proves that the power of words can be appreciated, while acting as a means of escape from the living reality, of war. Literature becomes Liesel’s sanity and without it she’d be far lost in the Nazi Germany Regime. So out of pure vengeance and anger, she rebels against Hitler by stealing books, while furthermore satisfying her hunger for reading. â€Å"She could smell the pages. She could almost taste the words as they stacked up around her. † This thus points out Liesel’s relationship and deep connection she shares with literature, by using a metaphor. Everyone needs to escape reality for a little while, to find beauty in the darkest hours, to keep their sanity, to survive. For Hans it is his accordion, Death’s is the colours, and for Max it is telling his story via art and literature. Yet of course Liesel too needs an escape, and she is able to find this from words and literature. By finding an escape route, Liesel’s knowledge of the power of words endures to build, and expand as she is able to appreciate literature. Liesel’s journey of escaping the horror delivers not only beauty and a hope to survive but allows her to find comfort through literature. I find this rather ironic, that she is able to bring comfort to her-self and others from literature, when before words only served her misery. â€Å"She couldn’t tell exactly where the words came from. What mattered was that they reached her. They arrived and kneeled next to the bed. † Zusak brings to attention; the idea of that literature is capable of accomplishing and bringing comfort to Liesel by using personification and imagery. But then again, within reading Liesel is not just able to comfort herself but can soothe others by understanding the true capacity words have, in relation that they can cause both pain and happiness. †¦But at least they were distracted now, by the girl with the book. † Through language and the overall use of irony, Zusak reinforces Liesel’s strong connection with literature, while engaging myself, the reader into the deeper meanings of the written text; that in means can provide comfort and an escape. By the author allowing the reader to, ‘walk a mile in someone else’s shoes’ social issues are evidently propounded. Markus Zusak has successfully demonstrated the significant social issues of, Hitler’s manipulation and abuse of power through words, and the appreciation of literature by providing escape and comfort in the Book Thief.