Kristallnacht Symbolism In The Book Thief

Most historians and others know Kristallnacht as the Night of the Broken Glass. It was the day that Nazis tortured the Jews. German propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels and other Nazis carefully organized the spree. They started Kristallnacht because the German Official was assassinated by the hands of a Jewish teen. That night, over 30,000 Jewish men arrested and sent to Nazi concentration camps. During Kristallnacht, Nazis killed ninety-one Jews and hundreds more injured. Towards the end of The Book Thief at least 31 characters die due to the in the bombing of Himmel Street. As the years go by, we’ve carried on November 9-10, 1938 as a memorial to the Jewish community by referring to books, newspapers, new cast, and public sources. Within The Book Thief, it carries true aspects of Kristallnacht and the reactions/emotions people encountered that night. …show more content…
Max Vandenberg is a Jewish fist fighter along with his friend Walter Kugler. As Kristallnacht occurred many Jews were killed, but Max escapes. Whereas, Max and his family are panicking and frightened when Walter arrives in a Nazi uniform and leads Max out of the house leaving his family behind. Max has a kind heart and loves his family, but they urge him to go Max’s mother hands him a note. Walter keeps Max hidden for two years, but rewards him with news from his family. Max encounters mixed emotions of anger, sorrow, despair, and guilt as his family is missing. Zusak most likely added the context because back in 1938 families were arrested after the Kristallnacht and were often never seen again leaving those still alive feeling shameful and develop shell-shock at one point of their