Major Themes

LOVE
The Book Thief focuses on characters who are learning to love in the face of great hatred.
This particular theme is communicated through the entire book between various
characters and through various acts. One of the most powerful acts of love in the novel is
when Hans Hubermann publicly gives a piece of bread to a Jewish prisoner who was
marching by. The man cries into Hans ankles, crying and thanking him, knowing the
great risk Hans just took. Both men were whipped for what they had done. Love is not
necessarily between two people who share a relationship, it can be any great act of
kindness or compassion. Hans risks his own life to help someone who desperately needs
it. This shows how much of a loving and caring character Hans is and how he puts others
above himself. The relationship between Max and Liesel is also one of the best examples
of love shown in the book. The two characters bond through past experiences. Liesel
loves Max like a brother. This relationship is important because to Liesel, its like a
brother she couldnt have. She lost her brother at such a young age and was extremely
bothered by it as she had nightmares for several months after his death every night at the
Hubermanns house. Liesel also helped Max through his struggle of being a Jewish
person in Nazi Germany by accompanying him in the basement and reading with him
when he had nothing to do than feel miserable about himself. Liesel became part of
Maxs true family, which was important in those hard times.
THIEVERY
Liesel's thievery is a form of defiance and self-actualization. By stealing a book from a
book burning, she defies Nazi censorship and takes her education into her own hands.
When Ilsa offers Liesel a book, Liesel refuses it because she is enraged at Ilsa for firing
Liesel's foster mother Rosa. Instead, Liesel breaks into Ilsa's home and steals the same
book, later stealing others. Ilsa realizes what Liesel has done and is amused by it; she
"helps" Liesel steal from her library by leaving her window open and placing books in
visible locations. Ilsa is an encouraging figure who desires to help Liesel continue to
read, even if it must be on Liesel's terms. Rudy and others steal food because they are
hungry, yet Rudy is unable to burglarize a wealthy home despite his anger over the Army
having "stolen" his father.
WORDS AND PROPAGANDA
Liesel learns throughout the course of the novel that words hold a remarkable power to
lure people into committing acts of cruelty. At age 9, Liesel is illiterate, and the first book
she learns to read is a manual about grave digging. Learning to read brings Liesel closer
to the understanding that Hitler's propaganda is the root of his power and the reason why
her mother, father, and brother are dead. Max, who understands well the effect Hitler's
propaganda has had on his race, helps communicate this lesson through his figurative
story "The Word Shaker." The story describes Hitler's use of declamation to brainwash
Germany and compel German citizens to turn against the Jews. Liesel, a young girl who
understands the power of words is capable of defying the Fuhrer through words of joy

throughout the novel, yet she despairs after seeing Max on his way to a concentration
camp, and rips up a book, wondering what good words are. Ilsa, the mayors wife, gives
Liesel a blank book and encourages her to write. Liesel ends up writing the story of her
life, ending with the line, "I have hated the words and I have loved them, and I hope I
have made them right." This line conveys Liesel's realization of the manipulative power
of words and indicates her attempt to master the art of writing for compassionate use, to
make words "right."
COURAGE
The theme of courage is demonstrated throughout The Book Thief by many characters but
Hans, Rudy, Liesel and Max are the four most important characters whose actions show
this theme. Liesel and Ruddy represent this theme especially when they follow Hans'
footsteps in giving out bread during the Jew parade. Both of them knew that they would
have to face consequences similar to Han's if they were caught, yet they continued what
they were doing. Hans showed his courage when he allowed Max to stay with his family.
He knew the risks that were involved for everyone involved but he still accepted the
challenge to keep Max safely with him. Max's courage can be seen when he imagines
himself standing up to Hitler in his mental battles. Deep down he knows that a Jew would
never be able to beat Hitler, yet he still trains and practices.
DEATH
Death is one of the most important aspects of The Book Thief. This is mostly because the
narrator of the story is Death himself. Death is shown throughout the whole book at times
through war, bombs, suicide, and old age. He is something that no one can escape and all
the characters in the story show an understanding of this concept. Though this theme can
be connected with many of the characters, most of them handle death with different
methods. For example, when Liesel is faced with death at the end of the book, she accepts
the fact that it is her turn to die just as many people before her have. But when she
experiences the deaths of her family and friends, she does not feel the same way and
wishes that they were still alive. Ms. Frau on the other hand handles the deaths of her two
sons very differently. She does not feel that her sons died the right way since one of them
died in war and the other took his own life.