The Book Thief Words Analysis

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The Power of Words

Words mean more than their definition. Each word has a special interpretation that means something different to every individual. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak takes place during World War II in Molching,Germany. The main character Liesel is forced to leave her mom to move to Molching to live with a new family. Liesel has to learn a completely new language which is very challenging for her. She does not only learn different German words, but the greater story behind what each word truly means to her. Through many experiences Liesel uses words to find the hidden meaning of how they affect her life. These words help her realize the secret shame of her family, her safe haven, and her determination. This first word helps Liesel discover the truth about leaving her mom for Germany, why her father is missing, and her dead brother. Kommunisten (communism) is a word that Liesel always stops to think about each time she hears it. Liesel has heard this word many times in her life. Anytime she asks about Kommunisten people always tell her to not worry about it. During one of the speeches on Hitler’s birthday Liesel finally connected the dots when she heard Kommunisten, “She saw it …show more content…
Liesel was struggling with reading in German in school. On day every kid in Liesel’s class had to get up and deliver their oral reading exam. Liesel did not know the words for her exam so she instead starts to recite a passage from The Grave Digger's Handbook. Her teacher Sister Maria doesn't like this at all. Liesel gets made fun of for her actions by Ludwig Schmeikl “You Dummkopf” (Zusak 55). Instead of quitting this makes Liesel more inspired to learn to read like the rest of her peers. Every night Liesel and her father read and learn words she does not know. Liesel is determined to fit in with her classmates. For Liesel Dummkopf is a word that Liesel is encouraged by to improve her reading

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