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Directions: Write a response to the first 170 pages in The Book Thief (Prologue and Parts I, II and III). After your response, skip a line and write ONE higher level question for your classmates to answer. Higher level questions are ones in which many answers may exist. They often begin with the words "Why" or How."
Use these questions to guide your response; however, you do not need to respond to all (or any) of them if you have your own ideas. What has sparked emotion for you? What opinions have you formed about specific characters? Is anything confusing you? Has specific word choice used by Zusak spoken to you in a particular way? Consider symbolism, irony, setting, characterization, and imagery/figurative language.
When you answer, please use the conventions of Standard English. This is a school assignment, not an Instagram post. Make sure you comment on at least two other posts after you have written yours. Poorly written or inappropriate comments will be deleted by Mrs. Groom and not count towards your score.
Learning Targets:
1. Use technology to produce and publish writing and present the information between information and ideas efficiently as well as to interact and collaborate with others.
2. Read material to prepare for and participate in a conversation and collaborate with diverse partners.
3. Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in The Book Thief propel the action, reveal aspects of character, or provoke a decision.
Ex. Having death as a narrator, to me, is difficult to comprehend. It's a very interesting perspective and choice for Zusak to make. I'm not quite sure if I like that death is a narrator yet. Rosa Hubermann is an interesting character. She definitely speaks her mind and is very stubborn.
ReplyDeleteHow do you think having Liesel as a narrator would affect the story?
If Liesel was the narrator than the story would be totally different. The world would not be seen in colors, and the characters would not be described from an "out of the world" all knowing almost perspective view. Liesel's emotions would change how the story was told.
DeleteI think having Leisel as a narrator would mess with my mind. As I have read this book, I have learned me and Death think alike, so I would have to adjust to the mindset of Leisel, and I'm not entirely sure I would want to.
DeleteWe wouldn't have got as many sides to the story. Also, she is younger so she isn't as reliable as a narrator as death.
DeleteI think that if Liesel was the narrator then it would not have been as reliable because she is 10. Also, her opinion would've very different than deaths because she seems to be very closed minded.
DeleteI think having Liesel as the narrator would totally change how the story should be told. It would give a different perspective and although it would give a different perspective it would be quite interesting to see things from her point of view.
DeleteIf Liesel was the narrator then the story would be told different. You wouldn't be able to see what other people think/feel and the world wouldn't be described in colors.
DeleteIf Liesel was the narrator instead of Death, I believe the story wouldn't make such an impact as it does when told through Death's point of view. Liesel is only a ten year old girl living in Nazi Germany who has much to learn. There are many occurrences where she would miss the big picture of things due to being oblivious and blind of what is actually happening to people considered "non-German".
DeleteIf Liesel were the narrator it would definetly change the point of view. It would change because with Death as the narrator he is on the outside of the book for the most part so he is observing these events. Liesel would be in the book and be a main character so it would have a lot more of her opinions in the text.
DeleteIf their family really liked the Hitler and supported him how would that change the story?
i think death as a narrator is an interesting perspective and is good because he is unbiased. Also, he is omniscient and i like how the characters interract.
ReplyDeleteQ: how would it turn out if hans and rosa were rich
I think Rosa would be less grouchy all the time. I also believe that the story would be less interesting because most of the Hubermann's unique character comes from living in poverty.
DeleteIf Hans and Rosa were rich, the story would most likely become boring unless Liesel was caught stealing the books, then punishment would be harsh and many people would be against their family. If they really were rich the story could have many different directions it could go.
DeleteIf the Hubermans were rich and to adopt Liesel she would have never been put into a situation where she'd have to steal books because she would have her own library. Rudy and her wouldn't have met and never would have stolen apples. To contradict Audrey's answer I don't think it would of been boring because it would have given a fresh perspective from Death's point of view because everyone narrates from a poor or Jew's point of view but rarely from a rich point of view.
DeleteIf Hans and Rosa were rich Liesel wouldn't steal books she would just buy them. So the whole entire plot of the story would need to be changed. Also Hans wouldn't owe anything and they could buy things that they wanted instead of what they absolutely needed to survive. And to state the obvious they basically just wouldn't be poor anymore.
DeleteIf Hans and Rosa were rich then they would live in a nicer house,and they would also have enough food. Leisel would not steal the fruit and the books. Hans might have become a Nazi. They would also not always worry about money.
DeleteI think it is interesting how Rosa portrays herself. She seems really mean and tough on everyone she meets especially her family. She loses her temper easily. It is funny to me what a soft heart Rosa really has and the sympathy she shows for Liesel.
ReplyDeleteWhat would have happened to Liesel if she had been caught stealing the book by a Nazi official?
Well, she'd probably go to jail.
DeleteI think the story plot would change and the story would be about how Liesel would try and get out of trouble, but would end up going to jail only to have Rudy come in and save the day by rescuing her. Then they would go back to Munich and try and survive the rest of the war only to be bombed and then death would become busy with saving souls again.
DeleteLiesel would've been punished and the Nazis would've looked into Hans and Rosa's parenting. She would've never been allowed into the mayor's wife's library.
DeleteI think that even if Liesel was caught, she probably would've been punished not only by the Nazis but also by Rosa. Honestly, I think Rosa would've sent her to a new family. Yes Hans might try to defend her but Rosa would probably over rule him.
DeleteI think Liesel would get into serious trouble. She would probably get punished more by Rosa though. Rosa would probably beat her and never let her read another book again.
DeleteLiesel would have been punished and she might of started to get watched by Nazi's just to make sure she didn't do it again. She also might of been taken out of school so she could stop learning to read, and Rosa would have severely punished her.
DeleteLiesel's life would have been thrown upside down, she would have been punished and they might have looked into her families history. If the Nazi's were to find out her mom and dad were communist she might have been sent to a concentration camp and never to have seen Himmel Street again.
DeleteLiesel would have been definitely punished severely for stealing a forbidden book. Nazi officials would have to look into Liesel's life with the Hubermanns, which could threaten the Hubermanns' life on Himmel Street. Liesel's desire to continue reading could possibly die out due to her fear of the Nazi Party.
DeleteI think that Liesel would get punished because it is not the perfect German to steal. She would get sent to jail and a lot of the criminals were sent to a concentration camp also. It would also effect the Hubermanns because they were in charge of here.
DeleteI like that death is the narrator. He isn't evil or malicious like you'd expect, he feels guilty for leaving people behind. You get to see every side of the story unlike how if Liesel was the narrator you'd only see from her point of view.
ReplyDeleteWhat if death quit doing his job just because he didn't like it?
We would probably not only have Leisel's life to read about, and we would get to learn about when, how, and why death quit his job, and what he does next. Books don't normally jump from narrator to narrator, so we would follow Death.
DeleteI don't think death would quit his job because death isn't the one who kills the people. Death warms up the dead people's souls and heals them completely before taking the souls up to heaven. If death didn't do his job he would probably feel bad that people's souls could no longer heal and go to heaven.
DeleteI like that the author Markus Zusak choose to have Liesel go to a family that was not in the political Nazi party, because she gets to live a decent life with her foster parents and not worry about having to hide the fact that she doesn't like Hitler.
ReplyDeleteHow do you think Liesel's life of learning to read, stealing, and not having to like Hitler would change if Hans Hubberman was in the political Nazi party like his son was? How does Hans having a son in the Nazi party affect the story?
I think the story would change tremendously. Hans is so loving and thoughtful and I think if he was involved in the Nazi party he would be cold and distant, as well as very strict. In many instances of the story, Hans is lenient about the rules, especially when it comes to his foster child. For example, he allows Liesel to keep the book she stole from the bonfire, which was extremely risky. Though in time everyone forms their own opinion, a parent's views on the world are an immense influence on a child. I think if Hans was pro-Nazi, Liesel's whole perspective would be different.
DeleteI think that the fact that Hans's son is in the Nazi party emphasizes how most people in Germany were not conflicted like Hans and Rudy's father, Alex Steiner when it came to their political beliefs. Hans Junior is adamant about the Nazi party and believes all others whose opinions differ are foolish and naive.
I enjoy having death as a narrator. I think that having death as a narrator gives the story a different style and tone.
ReplyDeleteHow does death being the narrator effect the style or feel of The Book Thief?
In my perspective, I think that by having death as the narrator the book becomes mysterious but gives a platform for all the characters to be known.
DeleteDeath as a narrator effects the way we learn about the bad things that happen. He gives a form of humor that is funny but about things that you wouldn't normally say were funny (black humor)
DeleteI think having death as the narrator gives the reader a different perspective on how the people really felt during this time period and what was really going on. Instead of exaggerating the situation, death flat out tells you what is going on. Death has no story to tell so the story can focus on all the characters feelings/story.
DeleteI feel as though Death being the narrator affects the book feeling a lot. The story may have felt more childish and growing more mature as it went along if a character such as Liesel had been the narrator. With Death being the narrator, it gives the story a more of a feeling of knowing what is going to happen in dramatic irony because of the fact that Death is pretty much all-knowing.
DeleteI think death being the narrator adds that little mystery and dark humor to the book. he also adds that important feeling to the book and gives information about whats going on around that time period.
DeleteSince Rudy is Liesel's best friend and helps her throughout the story what would happen to Liesel if Rudy wasn't in the story.
I think death effects the story in many ways he puts a lot of black humor in the story and it shows how people felt in this time period.
DeleteI think that having the family be German is a great way Zusak can confront the daily life of the German people during this time.
ReplyDeleteHow would the story drastically change if the family was Jewish?
If the family was Jewish than, the story would be about hiding from the Germans, because they would not be welcome. The whole plot of the story would be so different.
DeleteIf the main characters were Jewish, even communists, the story would be less about human and more depressing about life than the story already is. It would describe the family either hiding or being kidnapped into a concentration, with the Jewish family eventually all passing away in the end. The readers would only get to focus on that depressing part of the story and eventually get bored and depressed.
DeleteIf the main characters in the book were Jewish, the whole plot of the book would be changed a lot. The story would probably be more about the less and less they're neighbors trusted them as they got into the years of Hitler's leadership, and eventually how life was like in a concentration camp and the evil that they had to suffer through.
DeleteI feel with Rudy in the book it creates a light-hearted comic relief for the book. I think that since Rudy is in the book it becomes a distraction for Liesel from the war and her mother. I also feel with Markus Zusak writing the book it shows what World War II would be like for Germans yet, it doesn't direct your full attention to the problem. When Rudy is starving an all Liesel is eating is pea soup all the time and they steal apples it describes the food situation in Germany but still directs your attention to the mischief the kids are getting into.
ReplyDeleteIf Rudy wasn't a character how would Liesel life be different from the way it is now?
I think that the story would be a lot more sad and that Liesel would struggle a lot more than she is. She would have a much harder time coping with her losses and most likely would have no friends at all.
DeleteIf Rudy wasn't in the story, I think it would more depressing because Rudy provides some comic relief. Liesel's life doesn't have a lot of light moments, and her friendship with Rudy is vital to providing her some happy moments.
DeleteThe story would be more depressing than it already is and Liesel would be a lot more independent and sad with her life. Rudy is a character that is definitely needed in Molching.
DeleteRudy was one of Liesel's only friends, if not her only friend, and without him she wouldn't have someone to talk to and to laugh with. Rudy was like Liesel's get away. He let her have fun and just talk and have fun, but without him Liesel and the whole story would just be even more sad.
DeleteI think Hans "Papa" Hubermann is a very intriguing character, despite his quiet and calm manner. Hans was so welcoming to Liesel and showed her compassion that was well needed. Some of my favorite moments were when Papa stayed with Liesel after her bed-wetting incidents and read The Grave Digger's Handbook with her in the middle of the night. What I find so interesting about Hans is his acceptance in people and how he is not apart of the Nazi Party. Hans only pretends to believe in the Fuhrer's ways when he is in the public eye so his family isn't taken away from their home. Also, I love how Papa's calm personality counteracts Rosa's loud and tough manner. All of these characteristics together make Han's one of my favorite characters in the story.
ReplyDeleteWhat if Hans's personality was switched with Rosa's personality?
(What if Hans was the loud, ill-tempered parent and Rosa was the quiet, cautious parent?)
If Hans' personality was Rosa's personality than lots of the events, such as the wiping for not bringing all of the money home that Liesel was supose to, might have never even happened. And it just would not make sense.
DeleteIf Rosa's and Han's personalities were switched I think the book would change in many ways. One of the ways the book might change is that since Hans goes out and interacts with more people because of his job playing the accordion, he (Hans) would cause way more problems with the Nazi Party than he already; he would more freely express his thoughts on equality with the Jews.
DeleteIf Rosa acted more like Hans I think Liesel would just spend more time with Rosa. This probably means Liesel would be helping her more in the house instead of socializing with her friends such as rudy. She might of even had less friends.
DeleteI find making death the narrator makes the story extremely, different from what I am used to reading. This is because death knows lots more than anyone else in the story. But at the same time the characters know more than death. Another thing that I really like about having death as the narrator, is that death does not add other outside feelings to the characters. Because if it was Liesel than we would have other ideas and feelings being added to the story.
ReplyDeleteHow do you think the story would change is Liesel was a Jew and Hans and Rosa Hubermann followed Hitler?
OR
How do you think the story would change if Hans and Rosa Hubermann were Jews?
If Hans and Rosa Hubermann were Jews, a lot of the main aspects of the story would change. For one, Hans Junior would definitely not be a member of the Nazi party. Most likely,the Hubbermanns would be sent to a concentration camp. Also, since the Hubermanns are Jewish, Liesel would have never been sent to live with them. Her parents are communists, trying to give Liesel a better life. Why would they send her to a Jewish family? Liesel would most likely be given to another German family or taken to a concentration camp for being a communist. Therefore, if Liesel was sent to another town, she would never meet Rudy. Maybe Liesel would never become the "book thief" as well. The second book she steals is from the bonfire in Molching. Of course, who could forget Max Vandenburg. Where would he go? Would he stay with Walter Kugler? Certainly the Hubermanns could provide no refuge, being hunted down by merciless Nazis themselves.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
Deletehere's my comment
ReplyDeleteWhen the narrator, death, comments “The Colonge sky was yellow and rotting, flaking.” this symbolizes to me that happiness was rotting away at the scene when Arthur Berg’s sister was slowly perishing and soon would be rotting too (like the Colonge sky) the ground (Zusak, 166). I feel this quote also represents that happiness was being sucked out of Arthur (Zusak, 166).
ReplyDeleteHow does the colors that the narrator describe affects the mood and tone of the story (what’s an example)?
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ReplyDeleteI think that having death as a narrator shows us all of the death that occurred during this time but adds some humor into the bad things that happened. It is good that Rudy is a friend of Liesel because he helps her cope with all the death she endured. Rudy also adds humor to the book that allows Liesel move on with her life.
ReplyDeleteHow would the story be different if we knew the whereabouts of Liesel’s parents and what was happening to them? What if Liesel’s brother was still alive and was with Liesel and the Hubermanns?
Liesel has wrote five letters to her mom,but her mom has not responded to any of them. Then the foster lady came and told the Hubermanns and told them they lost contact with her mom.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think happened to her mom? Do you think she was sent to a concentration camp?
From textual evidence, we can infer that Liesel's parents were communists. Liesel's parents probably were in trouble and got found out about, so they tried to do everything that they could to save their kids. So, the parents probably didn't just get rid of them, they were trying to save them and it worked out. Liesel just doesn't know about any of it.
DeleteEven though it is different than I am use to, I enjoy having Death as the narrator. The omniscient view gives you an unbiased look of some events during World War 2. The way Death adds black humor also gives you a new perspective of that time period.
ReplyDeleteHow would the story be different if Max was closer to Liesel’s age?
Throughout the story, Rosa has been very mean and grouchy all of the time. She seems to always be calling everyone names and making Hans always feel worthless. She speaks her mind all of the time and always has to be right. I feel that this makes her an interesting character in a way because it makes her look tough, fiece and ready to survive anything that comes her way. After the war starts, Hans business slows down and this makes it really hard to have enough food in the household. Rosa and Liesel are washing all kinds of peoples things to earn their families money.
ReplyDeleteHow do you think Rosa's attitude would change if she wasn't under all of the pressure to make sure she is getting enough business to support her family?
I think that her attitude would calm down and not be so mean to everyone.
DeleteI found the symbolism of Hans Hubermann's accordion very interesting. First, I think it represents his companionship with Erik Vandenburg. Erik taught Hans how to play in the midst of war, death, and destruction. Similarly, the accordion represents Han's feeling of debt to Erik's family and his responsibility to Erik to keep living his life without guilt. Also, playing the accordion in pubs for extra money is one of the ways Hans supports his family. Like many others, Liesel finds comfort and security in the music. "The sound of the accordion was, in fact, also the announcement of safety"(Zusak 38). As well as the reading lessons, the music strengthens the bond between Hans and Liesel. It is her shelter. As we've observed, Hans keeps to himself and is pretty reserved. Most would not describe Hans as a man of many words. Playing the accordion is how Hans expresses himself. The music conveys what cannot be put in words. As stated in the text, "She didn't see him watching as he played, having no idea that Hans Hubermann's accordion was a story"(Zusak 71). Lastly, the music represents the beauty and innocence in this world when everything else is falling apart at your feet.
ReplyDeleteWhat does Mein Kampf symbolize in the book?
I would rate this book a 6 out of a scale of 1-10. I would rate it this because I honestly would not pick up this book from a shelf to read myself, but there have been some positive elements off the book. One thing I like is Death as a narroratr. I like him because he adds just enough humor into the book to keep it from being mind-numbingly boring. I also think me and Death are a lot alike. another thing I like about the book is the setting. If this wan't a world war or in the future, then I would have never read this book in the first place. Well... jk, I guess. I have to.
ReplyDeleteHow would the story have turned out if Rosa wasn't such a jerk?
It took a little bit of getting used to but I am turning out to really like how Death is the narrator it is different. At first it wasn't very easy to understand because you had to get used to that the narrator isn't an actual person. I am really liking how Death sees the story it seems as if he knows just what's going to happen right when it happens.
ReplyDeleteHow would the story be different if Hans was the narrator?
I think that the story would be extremely different if Hans was the narrator because it would show the perspective of a person that isn't a part of the Nazi party. Also, he is hiding Max, a jew, in his house, and i think that he would have a unique opinion about that. The bad part about Hans being a narrator would be that he wouldn't be able to know about as many people as death would.
DeleteI now enjoy having death as a narrator a lot more than I originally thought I would from the prologue, I feel as though he gives a nice view from the outside as a third person point of view, while still giving some personality to himself as you read the book. It feels like a good mix of first and third person point of view, which I both like because of one gives you a better look at everything that is happening, while the other gives you more opinions and personality as you read the story.
ReplyDeleteWhat changes might have occurred if Liesal's brother had not died in the beginning of the book?
I really enjoy having death as the narrator and I think that it is very clever. At the beginning I was getting very confused but as the book progressed it became easier to comprehend. I like this book a lot even though it is super long. I think that this perspective shows how the mood was in this time period.
ReplyDeleteHow would the story be effected if Hans did not paint the Jews houses and had become a Nazi?
If Hans became a Nazi, he would not have had an argument with his son who is a Nazi. And he wouldn't have helped Max, which I think is going to be a big part of the story.
DeleteI don’t really like death as the narrator of the story. When a book is in first person it gives the main character more of a voice. I feel more connected to the book/character when it’s told in first person. Having death as the narrator makes me feel less involved with the characters and the story.
ReplyDeleteHow would it change the story if Death became more of an active character, rather than just narrating?
Throughout the story I have liked how having death as a narrator puts a spin on the story. Since it is the time of the Holocaust it was a wise decision by Markus Zusak to have death as the narrator. This is because the Holocaust was a huge tragedy and gives deaths perspective of what humans are capable of doing.
ReplyDeleteWhat would the story be like if the Hubermann family was rich? Would Liesel still have the same love for books if she was more fortunate?
I like the way that the author, Zusak, showed a unique perspective by the Hubermans not being a part of the Nazi party like many of the other people there. I think it allows Leisel to have more of a free opinion in her house. Also, the fact that the Hubermans are hiding a Jew in their house has a huge impact on Leisel. It would be hard to continue on normally in life knowing that there is always a chance of being caught and being severely punished.
ReplyDeleteHow would the story have been different if Hans did join the Nazi party? What would have happened to Max?
If Hans had joined the Nazi party he would never have let Max come into his home, give him food, water, and shelter, he also wouldn't have had a fight with his son that is a Nazi. Max probably would've been left out on the street to die or Hans would called the cops about a Jew.
ReplyDeleteHow would The Book Thief look without Death as the narrator? Who would be the best narrator?
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ReplyDeleteWithout Death being the narrator there would be a much more limited view of the story. Death has the ability to go deep inside the characters and describe how they feel in a way that a normal narrator with a omniscient POV would be able to describe it. Death has the ability to feel the emotions of the characters and pity them. If Death wasn't the narrator, I honestly believe that no one should be the narrator.
ReplyDeleteIn what way has Rudy changed the story for Liesel? Would she be a better or worse person without Rudy in the picture?