Rudy And The Book Thief Similarities

“Our similarities bring us to a common ground; our differences allow us to be fascinated by each other.” This was once said by American novelist Tom Robbins and applies directly to The Book Thief and All the Light We Cannot See. Both of these books share a vast amount of similarities and differences in their characters. Readers are able to relate to the characters, and that is why it is truly important that readers understand and analyze the similarities and differences between two key players: Werner Pfennig and Rudy Steiner. People may not view them as the most important characters, but they are definitely detrimental to the development of the story. Though it is Werner’s and Rudy’s similarities that bring the books to common ground, it …show more content…
According to United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, “the ideal "Aryan" was blond, blue-eyed, and tall” (Nazi Racism). Athletic, intelligent, German, blond, and blue-eyed: all features of both Werner and Rudy that caused the Nazi forces to take an interest in them. More importantly, the fact that they both shared these traits and disagreed with the common Nazi ideals made the boys similar. Both boys were chosen to go to special schools to train them to be soldiers. Rudy did not go; and as a result, his father was sent into the army. This turned Rudy against Hitler and views, this can be seen on page ____ of The Book Thief. During this part of the book Rudy has told Liesel he is running away and on his way “”. Werner was also chosen to go to a special school for training at Schulpforta. The decision was hard to make, especially when his little sister Jutta did not want him to go. Despite all of Jutta’s reasoning, Werner decided to attend the school because he thought that it would open doors for his future. It opens doors that even Werner did not imagine, nor want to. In the school, his eyes were opened to the reality of war by the cruel …show more content…
Werner and Rudy shared similar characters that made them appear to be the perfect Aryan specimen; however, they also both shared a differing opinion of the Nazi ideals. They also lived in a treacherous time period with certain circumstances that caused to give up a part of their childhood to survive. Though their true story differs when we look at their family. Rudy was surrounded by loving parents and expressed his love freely; whereas, Werner was secretive about his feelings. This communication difference changed the impact of their death throughout the overall