Symbolism

[Carolyn]

The books that Liesel stole symbolize truth and knowledge. During World War ll the Germans rewrote their history and books so that they could control the history and knowledge that people learn in school. Since the Germans did that, Liesel learned more from the books she stole verse the books that she read in school. I would like to know what you think the stolen books symbolize. 

[Annie Potter]

Personally, I think that the books symbolize freedom. Based off of what you said on how the Germans "rewrote history and books" to maintain their power, the books Liesel read were her way of being free from Germanys control. I also believe that they were a way for Liesel to escape from the harsh realities that surrounded her on a day to day basis. She not only read to calm and distract herself, but her reading effected others around her. For example, when all of the residents on Himmel Street were in a bomb shelter during the raids, Liesel read to the crowd to ease their nerves. "She didn't dare to look up, but she could feel their frightened eyes hanging on to her as she hauled the words in and breathed them out... The youngest kids were soothed by her voice" (Zusak 381).

[Eric]

I think that the books symbolize advancement and learning. One example of this is that the different parts of the Book Thief are named after the books that Liesl acquires. The author organizes the plot via these books. This progression also illustrates Liesl's advancement and maturation throughout the story. At the beginning, she just had the Grave Digger's Handbook (that book is also the name of the first part) and she couldn't even read it yet. At the end, Liesl had read many books and could read them fluently. Books helped her to survive and grow, even under difficult circumstances. Like Carolyn said, I think that the books symbolize knowledge, since Liesl accumulates knowledge by reading the books.

[Calliope]

I think that the books symbolize healing and calm, because The Gravedigger's Handbook helped Liesel to cope with the death of her brother and the fact she would not see her mother again, and when she was in the bomb shelter, Liesel read the Whistler to herself and the other people in the shelter, and this helped ease the anxiety of waiting for the bombs to drop.

[Sara S.]

I believe that the books that Liesel collects symbolize family. Liesel never knew her father, saw her brother die, and was let down by her mother. After being abandoned by all her relatives, it would make sense that there was a void that needed to be filled in Liesel's life. Obviously, Hans and Rosa Hubberman, Rudy Steiner, and Max filled a considerable portion of that gap. But no matter what happened, the one thing that Liesel could always count on was the books. Just like family, Liesel's books were always there for her when she needed them the most. The pages comforted her in times of tragedy and challenged her as she learned to read. They were a comforting voice in times of danger, and a road that led her mind out of Nazi-controlled Germany. As Liesel grew, she collected her own "family" of books, all different, but each one serving their purpose as a fundamental part of Liesel's story.

[melanie]

I agree with Sara, but more so that the books symbolize connections. For example, Liesel stole 'The Grave Digger's Handbook' when her brother died, and the book remains important to Liesel throughout the novel because it acts to her as a connection to her dead brother and mother. When Liesel read 'The Shoulder Shrug' to Max, it created a stronger bond between the two characters. Through reading to Frau Holtzapfel, Liesel created a neutral relationship and came to know her son. Books acted as a family to Liesel, but also helped Liesel to create connections, or strengthen connections, with others in Molching.

[emilybachman]

As Melanie says, the book creates connections not only for Liesel but for the other residents of Himmel Street. In another sense, the books act as freedom and a way some of the souls are spared. For Liesel, she cheated death by her urge to read in the basement. Max's copy of Mein Kampf kept him alive in Nazi Germany. For others, such as those in the bomb shelter their minds were put at ease when Liesel's soothing voice would read aloud. In all these scenarios, the books acted as freedom and a way for the characters to be at peace.

[grace]

I believe the stolen books symbolize tragedy and truth because like you said the germans rewrote their history to make it look less gruesome and atrocious and when Liesel read the books she got enlightened about the horror in Germany. When Liesel read the books she received truthful knowledge that was also tragic, she learned that the enemy Germany was fighting was not evil and malicious but really quite similar to her.