To be courageous and to be a coward are two completely opposite traits but the words work together to deliver a message. Children at a young age are taught through movies that the heroes are portrayed as brave while those who are suffering and weak are seen as cowards, not very often are cowards seen as courageous. In the Book Thief written by Markus Zusak, the idea of being courageous and a coward are combined together into one. Without cowardice man can’t see the courage of, without courage man can’t the see the cowardice of society. Zusak proposes that man must see the courage in cowardice to motivate mankind to have hope through suffering which restores their faith in humanity. Humans tend not to understand or think about the struggles
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“I just wish I was like Jesse Owens, Papa” (Zusak 50). Rudy, like Hans is a representative of those who aren’t afraid to rebel, which is surprising since Rudy is the representative of the perfect Aryan race. Zusak uses Jesse Owens, a black American athlete that Hitler despises, to show how ignorant and innocent children can be but what they say will help them learn as they grow older. “I’ve made many mistakes in my life but not joining the Nazi Party isn’t one of them… You coward” (Zusak 104-105). In Nazi Germany, it takes so much more confidence and courage to go against Hitler and defend Jews than to comply to the ideology of Nazis that has been created. Small acts such as not joining the Nazi Party, is symbolic carrying the meaning of bravery and rebellion. To speak up and act is better than to sit back with fear watching as a Hitler takes control. This would’ve restored the humanity that was lost, Germans who knew that this was inhumane but didn’t have enough courage to speak up and act added on to the uprising of Hitler. “His blond hair, although darkening, was like a candle. She heard his stomach growl - and he was giving people bread. Was this Germany? Was this Nazi Germany?" (Zusak 440). Through and only from the use of symbolism can readers understand the meaning behind the bread. Bread is symbolizing hope and the will to survive, something that many Jews no longer had. Zusak could’ve used any other food but he used bread to help push his message. Bread is also a reference to the bible and how Jesus split a piece of bread equally among his starving followers, Rudy is being a representative of Jesus during this moment. The followers are Liesel and Rudy in this case, children learn and watch from adults and copy what they do
“I just wish I was like Jesse Owens, Papa” (Zusak 50). Rudy, like Hans is a representative of those who aren’t afraid to rebel, which is surprising since Rudy is the representative of the perfect Aryan race. Zusak uses Jesse Owens, a black American athlete that Hitler despises, to show how ignorant and innocent children can be but what they say will help them learn as they grow older. “I’ve made many mistakes in my life but not joining the Nazi Party isn’t one of them… You coward” (Zusak 104-105). In Nazi Germany, it takes so much more confidence and courage to go against Hitler and defend Jews than to comply to the ideology of Nazis that has been created. Small acts such as not joining the Nazi Party, is symbolic carrying the meaning of bravery and rebellion. To speak up and act is better than to sit back with fear watching as a Hitler takes control. This would’ve restored the humanity that was lost, Germans who knew that this was inhumane but didn’t have enough courage to speak up and act added on to the uprising of Hitler. “His blond hair, although darkening, was like a candle. She heard his stomach growl - and he was giving people bread. Was this Germany? Was this Nazi Germany?" (Zusak 440). Through and only from the use of symbolism can readers understand the meaning behind the bread. Bread is symbolizing hope and the will to survive, something that many Jews no longer had. Zusak could’ve used any other food but he used bread to help push his message. Bread is also a reference to the bible and how Jesus split a piece of bread equally among his starving followers, Rudy is being a representative of Jesus during this moment. The followers are Liesel and Rudy in this case, children learn and watch from adults and copy what they do