Max Vandenburg

[millaberemski]

As we all know, Max is a Jew during the time period of Nazi Germany. During this time period, Jews were hated by every living person. Max had gone through very hard times because of what his religion was. He was taken from his family and was hidden in different shelters with little to no food. Even though Max went through hell, some good came out of it, too. He met Liesel, who became his best friend throughout the novel. She became a very important person in his life. Do you think that Max would want to change anything about his life after he met Liesel and got to know her? Why or why not?

[ninaseidel]

Max's situation didn't allow him much control over his own life so i don't think that there's much he could have changed. I do, however, think that Leisel's friendship gave him an incentive to stay alive. Their friendship probably gave him hope for himself and the rest of Germany. I think her youth and spirit was what Max needed while he was hiding in the basement because she had the energy that he was losing. Without her he might have lost all his optimism and strength.

[sofiamq123]

I agree, Max couldn't really do much about his situation. I also agree that Lisle helped him through his misery. However, if Max where to somehow be able to change his situation and make it a little bit better I don't believe he would have done it (had he known he would have met Lisle). Lisle not only gave him hope but also someone to comeback to after the war. As many may be able to recall Max's family was not able to escape and hide, which leads readers to think they did not survive. Unlike them, Max was able to survive. After the war Max returns to Lisle "...a man with swampy eyes, feathers of hair, and a clean shaven face walked into the shop......Lisle came out. They hugged and cried and fell to the floor." If Lisle and Max hadn't met, Max nor Lisle would have had someone to return to or to meet again after the war ended. Therefore they wouldn't have had much to fight for.

[charlottepetryy]

I think if he could change something about what had happened he might have changed the fact that he had to leave his family behind but that would mean they probably never would have met. Nonetheless, if he didn't meet Liesel than I agree that he wouldn't have anyone to come back to after the war and wouldn't someone to keep him company and feel connected to after he left his family. Liesel was someone who gave him something to hold onto while in hiding.