Mountain

[anthonywang]

Death says that Liesel was a girl “with a mountain to climb” (p. 86). What is her mountain?
Who are her climbing partners? What is her greatest obstacle?

[anthonywang]

I believe Liesel's mountain to climb in Zusak's The Book Thief is not easily simplified to her just surviving the war; although, surviving one of the worst wars in history does create a large part of that mountain. Liesel's mountain to climb also includes dealing with feelings of being abandoned by her mother. Not only that, she is then forced to live with a foster mother who is physically abusive. Additionally, Liesel faces hunger, illness, social and political unrest, prejudice at school because she can't read, and grief for burying her younger brother, Werner, before she is taken to live on Himmel Street. For the most part, the people who climb this mountain with her are her friends and foster parents. There is also her friend Max Vandenburg, a young Jewish man who becomes like an older brother to her when he hides in her basement. They share stories of their nightmares and become supportive friends to one another. Max, along with Hans, Rudy, and others show her that love can still exist even when it seems as though the world is doomed. In the end, though, she is left alone because her foster parents, best friend, and most of the people from Himmel Street die during an air raid. Liesel survives along with Rudy's father and Max Vandenburg, but her world mostly blows up on that fateful day. Death says that Liesel is a girl "with a mountain to climb" because Liesel is trying to survive the harsh reality that is created by the war. Liesel is trying to cope with the emotional stress that is around her, and this is her mountain to climb. Liesel is given to the Hubermanns because her mother can no longer care for her after the father is taken away to a concentration camp. While on the way to the Hubermanns, Liesel's brother dies of illness on the train. This haunts Liesel for a long time and later is compounded by other trauma such as threats of Hans and Rudy being taken in by the German army, Max's hiding in the basement, and prisoners being taken to Dachau. The other characters in the novel--Rudy, Rosa, Hans, and Max--experience these fears with Liesel and they must all cope with the horrors of the war

[iancernitz]

I believe Leisel’s mountain to climb was being part of a family again. She had to overcome the loss of her mother and brother and had to completely start over. That challenge of being part of a different family is surely mountainous. Throughout the book she slowly connects with Hans, Rudy, Ilsa and eventually Rosa and learns to love them all dearly. Of those people it was Hans who helped guide her through it all. He was there with her when she had nightmares. Comforting her with his accordion and silver eyes. Leisel climbs her mountain with Hans at her side. She finally feels like the hole inside her is filled when horrible, ironic fate takes it all away.

[iancernitz]

I believe Leisel’s mountain to climb was being part of a family again. She had to overcome the loss of her mother and brother and had to completely start over. That challenge of being part of a different family is surely mountainous. Throughout the book she slowly connects with Hans, Rudy, Ilsa and eventually Rosa and learns to love them all dearly. Of those people it was Hans who helped guide her through it all. He was there with her when she had nightmares. Comforting her with his accordion and silver eyes. Leisel climbs her mountain with Hans at her side. She finally feels like the hole inside her is filled when horrible, ironic fate takes it all away.

[emilia]

Personally, I believe Leisel's mountain to climb was starting a new life with a new family. She had lost a part of her identity when her father and brother passed away. and her mother had left her, resulting in having to overcome grief and sorrow. Having to deal with all of this during difficult times without her family was quite a challenge. However, as she meets the Hubermans she started to get the sense of attachment, love, and family that previously had been lost. As she slowly warmed up to her new lifestyle, she started to develop a happier loving disposition. Although she took a little while to warm up to her new life; the Hubermans, Rudy, Max, and other compassionate charcetrers helped Leiesel climb the mountain, struggling with many of the same issues she faces.