Characters in both Empires of the Sun, directed by Stephen Spielberg, and The Book Thief, authored by Marcus Zusak live in a setting where their survival is under threat. Set in World War 2, the reality these texts bring to light on several messages a couple being the loss of innocence and morality as well as the irreversible damages caused by war. The circumstances in which these texts are set, brings light to the need for survival humans have and the ability they possess to be resilient in the face of hardships and trials.
In Empire of the Sun, the trait of resilience and courage is especially evident in the protagonist, Jim. Jamie’s courage and instinct to survive is conveyed by Spielberg to the viewer by the Jamie’s occupation in the camp. …show more content…
This being one of the most prominent messages being conveyed by Spielberg and Zusak, there are numerous demonstrations of corruption of innocent individuals. In The Book Thief a loss of innocence occurs very early, on the train ride, readers see that Liesel’s brother dies in front of her. This experience would have tarnished the innocent soul of the 9-year-old girl. Being confronted by lifeless the corpse of her own brother would have had a lasting psychological impact on her. In the Empire of the Sun, Jamie’s experience is sparkled with numerous instances which led to a near complete loss of innocence. Early on in Basie and Jamie’s encounter, Jamie takes Basie to the rich neighbourhood for “rich pickings”. This action shows from the onset that Jamie’s childhood innocence has been affected by what is taking place and that he has resorted to corrupt dealings in order to find acceptance and help. Another illustration of moral corruption is when Basie due to his opportunistic behaviour leads to Jamie using the deceased woman’s bowl to get food rations. These implementation of characterisation to convey the message of the moral corruption of innocent individuals effectively communicates to the viewer that no one remains innocent in a war and that even children begin to grapple with difficult moral dilemmas which they otherwise wouldn’t be dealing with. Spielberg also brought light to the issue with the use of …show more content…
In The Book Thief the reader is left with the knowledge that despite the bitter and harrowing realities of war Liesel was able to then go and lead an accomplished life. She in her time as a child, achieved the ability to read and write, after propagating that desire she has gone on to be an author one who lived a well off existence after the war. To the viewer, Liesel’s experiences shows how something as tragic as a war can have a positive outcome. Through the use of Death as the third person, Spielberg pointed out the futility of human nature; that we would have the ability to extend immeasurable amounts of kindness but also brutality on ourselves. Empire of the Sun, on the contrary, paints a picture to viewers that the agonizing tribulations of the war has a negative bearing on Jamie’s later life. In using repetition to support Jamie’s loss in innocence and also motifs such as the briefcase thrown in the river with the caskets further affirms the loss in identity. These scenes as well as the lifeless and empty look when reunited with his parents juxtaposed with his previously playful, happy and carefree personality gives viewers a candid insight into Jamie’s final identity as being a lifeless walking corpse. In spite of, both texts accurately showing the realities of war, only Markus Zusak’s book shares any
In Empire of the Sun, the trait of resilience and courage is especially evident in the protagonist, Jim. Jamie’s courage and instinct to survive is conveyed by Spielberg to the viewer by the Jamie’s occupation in the camp. …show more content…
This being one of the most prominent messages being conveyed by Spielberg and Zusak, there are numerous demonstrations of corruption of innocent individuals. In The Book Thief a loss of innocence occurs very early, on the train ride, readers see that Liesel’s brother dies in front of her. This experience would have tarnished the innocent soul of the 9-year-old girl. Being confronted by lifeless the corpse of her own brother would have had a lasting psychological impact on her. In the Empire of the Sun, Jamie’s experience is sparkled with numerous instances which led to a near complete loss of innocence. Early on in Basie and Jamie’s encounter, Jamie takes Basie to the rich neighbourhood for “rich pickings”. This action shows from the onset that Jamie’s childhood innocence has been affected by what is taking place and that he has resorted to corrupt dealings in order to find acceptance and help. Another illustration of moral corruption is when Basie due to his opportunistic behaviour leads to Jamie using the deceased woman’s bowl to get food rations. These implementation of characterisation to convey the message of the moral corruption of innocent individuals effectively communicates to the viewer that no one remains innocent in a war and that even children begin to grapple with difficult moral dilemmas which they otherwise wouldn’t be dealing with. Spielberg also brought light to the issue with the use of …show more content…
In The Book Thief the reader is left with the knowledge that despite the bitter and harrowing realities of war Liesel was able to then go and lead an accomplished life. She in her time as a child, achieved the ability to read and write, after propagating that desire she has gone on to be an author one who lived a well off existence after the war. To the viewer, Liesel’s experiences shows how something as tragic as a war can have a positive outcome. Through the use of Death as the third person, Spielberg pointed out the futility of human nature; that we would have the ability to extend immeasurable amounts of kindness but also brutality on ourselves. Empire of the Sun, on the contrary, paints a picture to viewers that the agonizing tribulations of the war has a negative bearing on Jamie’s later life. In using repetition to support Jamie’s loss in innocence and also motifs such as the briefcase thrown in the river with the caskets further affirms the loss in identity. These scenes as well as the lifeless and empty look when reunited with his parents juxtaposed with his previously playful, happy and carefree personality gives viewers a candid insight into Jamie’s final identity as being a lifeless walking corpse. In spite of, both texts accurately showing the realities of war, only Markus Zusak’s book shares any