Growing Up/ Coming of Age In The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Liesel and Rudy both do things that represent growing up and coming of age. They grew up in Molching on Himmel Street together and were neighbors. Liesel and Rudy were inseparable since the day they met. When conflicts arose, they were there for each other. They did many unnecessary, childish actions but, when times got harder and more serious they began to grow up and be more mature. Their actions made their friendship grow stronger and became young adults who had been through so much. Liesel and Rudy’s environment became a major part in who they became. When Liesel Meminger first arrived on Himmel Street, she has just lost her brother and was given away by her mother. She was
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At the beginning of the novel, Rudy acted very immature.. One incident was that he painted himself black to act as Jesse Owens; an Olympic gold medalist in the 1936 Olympics held in Germany. He did not only put himself in danger doing this, but he also put him family in danger. This act was seen as rebellious to the Nazi party since Owens was American. Another incident involves Liesel and their gang of friends. The gang was led by Arthur Berg and they would go to farms and steal apples, potatoes and anything edible that they could get their hands on. But when Rudy’s father leaves for war, something changes in him. During the parade of Jews, Liesel and Rudy ran ahead of the Jews and Rudy placed a piece of bread in her hand. Liesel did not think it was a good idea, but Rudy persuaded her to throw the bread. Rudy had gone from stealing food to giving food, even when he did not have enough. Another incident would be when Rudy and Liesel run for a plane that crashed and Rudy places a teddy bear with the dead pilot. He did not take the teddy bear back when he found out the man was dead, he left it there. Throughout the novel, Rudy changes from a foolish little boy to a young man who is full of giving, even when he is in
At the beginning of the novel, Rudy acted very immature.. One incident was that he painted himself black to act as Jesse Owens; an Olympic gold medalist in the 1936 Olympics held in Germany. He did not only put himself in danger doing this, but he also put him family in danger. This act was seen as rebellious to the Nazi party since Owens was American. Another incident involves Liesel and their gang of friends. The gang was led by Arthur Berg and they would go to farms and steal apples, potatoes and anything edible that they could get their hands on. But when Rudy’s father leaves for war, something changes in him. During the parade of Jews, Liesel and Rudy ran ahead of the Jews and Rudy placed a piece of bread in her hand. Liesel did not think it was a good idea, but Rudy persuaded her to throw the bread. Rudy had gone from stealing food to giving food, even when he did not have enough. Another incident would be when Rudy and Liesel run for a plane that crashed and Rudy places a teddy bear with the dead pilot. He did not take the teddy bear back when he found out the man was dead, he left it there. Throughout the novel, Rudy changes from a foolish little boy to a young man who is full of giving, even when he is in