Monday, May 25, 2009
Liesel's Books
Liesel obtains a new book for most of the major events in her life. When her brother dies, she finds The Grave Digger's Handbook. Most of the major events in her life are sad. She sees her brother die, her best friend (Max) is forced to flee, and her father is drafted. I think the reason Liesel steals books is that they help her escape from her life. When Max goes into his long sleep, Liesel steals a book. When her brother dies, Liesel steals a book. These books help distract Liesel from her realities, and help her cope with her life. The books can take her to another world, and she can escape. So although the books help her remember the events in her life, they also help her forget.
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Death utilizes the discovery of new books to mark monumental changes along the course of the story. The books are tangible figures that us readers can relate to. The books, while sometimes they add tension to novel, work well in the context of the Holocaust, and do act as strong relief to Leisel.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Simone in that the books provide a great benefit for Liesel in times of suffering. I also think that as much as the books help Liesel, they also help us as readers. Without these books, I think TBT would be a very depressing book to read.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the books help Liesel in times of suffering, but how do they help the reader?
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