Hans Hubermann's Luck

[briannaanderson]

    Throughout the book, Death shows how Hans Hubermann has avoided many fatal incidents, such as avoiding war because of his penmanship, and sitting in the right seat in a LSE truck. What was the purpose of this luck? Was it just coincidence or was it more? I think once he taught Liesel how to read, and once she truly understood the power of her words, it was the right time for him to go. He had given Liesel what he could, and provided for her. He filled in that void that Liesel had in her life, because she lost her mother. He also wouldn't of been able to save Max's life, had he went to war that day. His luck was there not for him, but for Liesel, Max, and Rosa.

[jackh]

Although it may just be a coincidence, it seems like the author used life and death in the story to direct the flow and movement of the character's traits, in order to show how things could have ended up many different ways, as well as showing the most interesting of them. Some of the greatest impacting examples of death were when Liesel's brother dies, and she has many thoughts and nightmares about him. Although sad, had the author decided not to have him die (and include it in the story), the reader would not comprehend as greatly the amount of trouble and grief she has been through. Similarly, they would not see how the story could have been much better or worse, depending on small changes and decisions. This is the same with how everyone on Himmel Street died at the end. The author could have ended the book a chapter earlier, and it would still be a complete story. When reading the book, I stopped right before that part and left it for a few days, and I felt like I had pretty much hit the end. When I read it next it surprised me and changed my thoughts on the story in retrospect, but it was unnecessary and only added for the dramatic effect.

[Holly]

I agree with Brianna, that Hans Hubermann gave his family what he could. His luck could be more based off of good karma rather than coincidence. All of his genuine actions lead to good fortunes. For example, on page 475, Zucker and Hubermann get into an argument over a seat. " 'Move it,' he said. 'Bitte? Excuse me?' Zucker was hunched beneath the vehicle's ceiling. 'I said move it, Arschloch.'" Hubermann eventually gives up his seat to Zucker. This action prevented a more intense fight between the two men. Switching seats effected the situation, therefore, causing Zucker to die in the accident, not Hubermann. This situation proves that your actions come with consequences.

[Eric]

I think the reason that Hans was portrayed as lucky is because it provided a contrast to the horrors happening around him. Several times when Hans had good fortune, others would die from the thing he narrowly avoided. For example, when Hans survived a deadly battle because he had to stay behind and write letters, his squad mates were slaughtered in his stead. This caused him to feel guilty because he was saved from death when his comrades were not. These circumstances and emotions make the character feel more realistic and interesting.

[roselyn]

I believe Hans was described as lucky was to maintain the balance. With so much death and destruction present in the book, something had to go right. It makes it more realistic. Most of the characters/people close to Liesel died or left her(her mother) so it is important that she has someone she cares about with her, guiding her and giving her hope. I also feel that Hans's luck was included to show all the different possibilities for people in the war. There were the people who died early on and the people who survived the war. Hans is an example of someone who was victim to Hitler's stubbornness at the end of the war.