The Book Thief Passage Analysis

10/22/15

Muntej Sahni
Romano/McGee

In Passage One, there are many things revealed about the characters Hans
Hubermann and Liesel Meminger. As soon as Liesel arrived at her new foster home,
she was naturally bathed in anxiety. This shows that she is uneasy about being in a
new environment with her new parents. She's uncomfortable around her foster parents
considering shes emotionally helpless from the loss of her brother and the feeling of
abandonment by her mother. Also, the deluge of abuse from Rosa Hubermann wasnt
exactly a great way to help Liesel settle in. Furthermore, the gentle voice of Hans
Hubermann helps console Liesel, after he says Leave her to me. There was
something about her foster father in that he can get through and connect with Liesel in a
way Rosa Hubermann cant. Hans is immediately sympathetic, and remains that way to
his new daughter. In addition, he was able to teach her how to roll a cigarette
moderately well after an hour. Most people consider Hans Hubermann to be barely
visible or an un-special person. However, Liesel saw immediately what no one else
could. His manner, his humility. She recognized his generous, kind, and patient
persona. As a father figure to Liesel, Hans represents a protector and is willing to
sacrifice for her. Hans Hubermann is a warmhearted, caring man, making it easy for him
to gain Liesels love. Moreover, in Passage One, Zusak establishes emerging themes
and focuses on characters who are learning to love in the face of great hardships. The
novel takes place in Nazi Germany, where giving another person something as small as
a smile could be seen as an act of immense kindness. This is revealed through Hans
Hubermanns character when he comforts Liesel with just a few words and expressions.

Additionally, this shows how words are among the most powerful ways to connect with
someone. Hans and Liesel begin to develop their deep bond with words, whether it was
in a book or spoken out loud.