Did you know the power of words can impact somebody’s life? The things you say to someone can change their mind about their decisions, choices, or may even affect their self-esteem. Words also have the power to make somebody change their attitude. Throughout the story of The Book Thief, there are many positive and negative situations that occur because of words.
In the novel, the reader can see evidence of how words can build or strengthen a relationship. However, one must also note how words can break or tear down a relationship. One example of the positive impact of words can be seen when Liesel wrote her apology letter to Frau. When Liesel wrote the apology letter, she explained that she was sorry for accidentally ruining one of the books …show more content…
Her note went a little something like this, “Dear Mrs. Hermann, As you can see, I have been in your library again and I have ruined one of your books. I was just so angry and afraid and I wanted to kill the words. I have stolen from you and now I’ve wrecked your property. I’m sorry. To punish myself, I think I will stop coming here. Or is it punishment at all? I love this place and hate it, because it is full of words. You have been a friend to me even though I hurt you, even though I have been insufferable (a word I looked up in your dictionary), and I think I will leave you alone now. I’m sorry for everything. Thank you again. Liesel Meminger” (522). This note led to something new between Frau and Liesel. Not too long after she wrote the letter, Frau and Liesel formed a stronger friendship and, at the end of the novel, Frau even decides to adopt Liesel after her family is killed. This quote shows the positive impact of words because Liesel reaches out to Frau to apologize for her previous actions. An example of a negative situation that results from words would be when Alex Steiner (Rudy Steiner’s father) refused to send Rudy to the Nazi Party. “Privileges? Like running barefoot through the snow? Like jumping from ten-meter platforms into three
In the novel, the reader can see evidence of how words can build or strengthen a relationship. However, one must also note how words can break or tear down a relationship. One example of the positive impact of words can be seen when Liesel wrote her apology letter to Frau. When Liesel wrote the apology letter, she explained that she was sorry for accidentally ruining one of the books …show more content…
Her note went a little something like this, “Dear Mrs. Hermann, As you can see, I have been in your library again and I have ruined one of your books. I was just so angry and afraid and I wanted to kill the words. I have stolen from you and now I’ve wrecked your property. I’m sorry. To punish myself, I think I will stop coming here. Or is it punishment at all? I love this place and hate it, because it is full of words. You have been a friend to me even though I hurt you, even though I have been insufferable (a word I looked up in your dictionary), and I think I will leave you alone now. I’m sorry for everything. Thank you again. Liesel Meminger” (522). This note led to something new between Frau and Liesel. Not too long after she wrote the letter, Frau and Liesel formed a stronger friendship and, at the end of the novel, Frau even decides to adopt Liesel after her family is killed. This quote shows the positive impact of words because Liesel reaches out to Frau to apologize for her previous actions. An example of a negative situation that results from words would be when Alex Steiner (Rudy Steiner’s father) refused to send Rudy to the Nazi Party. “Privileges? Like running barefoot through the snow? Like jumping from ten-meter platforms into three