Choice of Foreshadowing

[sophieborah]

Throughout the novel, the author continuously hints of Rudy Steiner's upcoming death. On page 243, Death states, in regards to Rudy's death, "On many counts, taking a boy like Rudy was robbery-so much life, so much to live for-yet somehow, I'm certain he would have loved to see the frightening rubble and the swelling of the sky on the night he passed away." When the bombing occurs on page 533, Liesel not only detects Rudy's corpse but her parents, Rosa and Hans Hubermann dead. Why do you think the author foreshadowed Rudy's death yet left Rosa and Hans death unexpected for the readers?

[briannaanderson]

The author chose to foreshadow Rudy's death because he didn't want the reader to become as attached as one could of to this character. Hans and Rosa were more influential in Liesel's life and letting go of them was harder for her so the author saved that for when it actually happened.
It also is like Death is spoon feeding the idea of dying to us. Having all 3 characters die at the same time would of been a lot to process so giving a foreshadow about Rudy's death made it easier to handle.