Rosa's "love" for her family

A few days ago in class, we talked about Rosa Hubermann and if she really loves her family, and I wanted to expand on that topic. When we are first introduced to the Hubermanns, Death comments about Rosa and her love for Liesel. "She possessed the unique ability to aggravate almost anyone she ever met. But she did love Liesel Meminger. Her way of showing it just happens to be strange" (35). I think that Rosa is just that type of character who is mostly hostile and unpleasant, but deep down inside has some good in her. We also know that Rosa loves Hans and Liesel because she takes care of them both. She cooks for them and cleans for them, and she also has a job. Since Hans barely makes any money, Rosa has to be the one who works all the time in order to receive money and support her family. Even though Rosa can survive without Hans and Liesel, she doesn't abandon them, which shows that she cares for them.

Rosa, just like everyone else living in Germany at that time, is also dealing with many struggles. There is a war going on and a large part of the country is living in poverty and hunger. It is hard for someone to be "pleasant" when they have so many worries, which is what Rosa is dealing with. She is the one that has to make all the money and take care of her husband, and now that Liesel has moved in, she is faced with another large responsibility. She thinks of Liesel as her child and she even makes her call her "Mama" (35). Rosa also disciplines her harshly, but she is only doing this because she wants Liesel to grow up being a well-mannered human being. She is also getting Liesel ready for the real world, and since the life in Nazi Germany was very difficult at that time, Rosa wants Liesel to be prepared.