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Michael Byers
Mrs. Barnes
Honors Language Arts 8 Blue 1
27 September 2016
Values Affect Ones Actions
Actions are caused not only by events and circumstances, but by the values one possess
and believes in. In J.K Rowlings The Chamber of Secrets, Dumbledore says, It is our choices
Harry that show us who we are, far more than our abilities. Dumbledore is referencing the idea
that one's values, and choices are who one is, not ones qualities and abilities. This quote relates
directly to the theme and also to both stories. In the books, Harry Potter and the Order of the
Phoenix by J.K. Rowling and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, both authors use character
development, the plot, and figurative language to develop values deep within the characters. In
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry struggles to keep quiet while the Ministry of
Magic is telling every witch and wizard he is a fraud, and that he is lying about Voldemorts
return. Harry takes action inside Hogwarts by going against the Ministry and standing up for
himself. In The Book Thief, Liesel is growing up in Nazi Germany, and is trying to find herself.
Through this journey she discovers the power of words. She begins to find herself through the
books that she steals. Liesel begins to value her books over anything, and through the books
learns to value the stories, and the knowledge found deep inside the books, as well as the power
of words. Liesel will find herself going to great lengths to get morebooks. As well as protecting
the books she already has. By examining both authors use of character development, plot, and
figurative language, the reader will discover how ones values are what cause their actions.

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In both texts the author uses character development through the story to show how the
values the characters have built up impact their actions. Both Harry and Liesel follow their
values, and as the story goes on, as well as developing new ones, and begin to take action against
those who stand over them. In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Harry says, I have the
idea-that it might be good if people worked to study Defense Against the Dark Arts- and I mean,
really study it... well, I thought it would be good if we, well, took matters into our own
hands(Rowling 339). This supports how Harry acts based upon his values of intelligence, and
learning. This response, is acting upon those values because Harry is eager to learn new spells
and wants to teach them to others. Harry wants to take action against Umbridge and her Ministry
approved methods, but also prepare his friends for the real world, the world outside of the
Hogwarts gates. The world where one would have to survive on their own. He values being able
to do the right thing and go against those who seek power, but do not deserve it. Harry acts based
upon his values because he feels this is to best, and safest way for himself, and his friends to
stand up for themselves. Harry believes by doing this he will allow others to stand up against
Umbridge and her cruelty, dishonesty, and greed. Harry knows that he can do right by following
his values, and by encouraging others to take a stand against Umbridge. In The Book Thief, when
Liesel starts to steal a book from the mayors wife, Death says, That night Liesel Memminger
truly became the book thief(Zusak 292). This displays how Liesel finally goes against what
Hitler and the Nazis say. She decides to officially become the book thief, and continue to fight
for what she believes in, and act upon her values. She does this because she values her books so
much, and will do anything for them, but also because she realizes hitler is wrong and people
need to stand up against him. This independence and courage is not common in Nazi Germany,
because of the fear Hitler has spread. It is ironic that the person that discovers words, stands up

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for themselves, and acts upon their values is a girl... in Nazi Germany. Liesel realizes that the
people of Germany need to stand up to Hitler, in anyway possible. Harry and Liesel are similar to
each other, they are self-less, strong hearted, and kind, but most importantly they both stand up
for themselves, at times when others are too scared to stand up for themselves. Both Harry and
Liesel stand up to oppressors. Both characters have strong values, such as honesty, intelligence,
and learning. However different or similar these values are, both characters follow their values
and use their values to guide their actions. Both authors use the character development to
develop values in the characters and therefore convey the theme presented throughout both of the
texts. Both quotes are crucial to the theme and plot of the story.
In both texts the author manipulates the plot to convey the theme and develop strong
values in the main characters. Both authors use the rising action as an opportunity to develop the
characters not only by showing the reader who they truly are, but by creating strong values inside
the characters. This development is important because the author sets the characters up to act
later in the story based on the values that are created in the rising action. J.K. Rowling uses the
quote said by Harry Potter, But I was telling the truth... Voldemorts back, you know he is,
Professor Dumbledore knows he is(Rowling 249). This confessions develop not only Harrys
anger towards Professor Umbridge and the Ministry as well as the conflict between Harry and
the Ministry, but to develop Harrys character and His values. Rowling will later use this conflict,
and Harrys values to cause Harry to stand up against Umbridge and the Ministry and act based
upon his values. Rowlings use of the rising action is necessary to not only the plot but The
development of the theme. Rowling needs to create these values and conflicts in order for Harry
to act. Without these values and conflicts Harry would have no reason to stand up, and if Harry
did stand up he would not do it in the same way. This is why Rowlings use of the rising action is

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not only crucial to the plot itself, but the theme Rowling develops throughout the text. Markus
Zusak uses the rising action in a similar way, but also much differently. Zusak uses the rising
action to allow the reader to discover who Liesel is, as well as Liesels love for books. In The
Book Thief,when Liesel visits the mayors library for the first time Liesel thinks to herself,
Books everywhere! Each wall was armed with overcrowded yet immaculate shelving. It was
barely possible to see the paintwork. There were all different styles and sizes of lettering on the
spines of the black, the red, the gray, the every-colored books. It was one of the most beautiful
things Liesel Meminger had ever seen(Zusak 134). Zusak uses this to allow Liesel to increase
her value for books. These books motivate her and allow her to learn the power of words. It is
important for Liesel to discover the power of words because, once Liesel finds the power of
words and her own words she understands how words are the most valuable resource and
greatest weapon on the planet. Zusak expertly uses the rising action to enable Liesel to discover
books and words, and how they are so valuable. Knowing this Liesel then acts based upon her
value of books and words in the climax. That is why it is so important for Zusak to develop
Liesel and allow her to discover books, and then discover the power of words. Both authors
expertly use the plot to reveal the theme and develop the character. Both quotes enhance both
authors use of figurative language.
In both texts the authors expertly use figurative language, such as symbolism to represent
important ideas, beliefs, and values.Rowling uses figurative language to represent unity, and the
common values the students posses. J.K. Rowling expertly uses figurative language such as
Dumbledores Army to represent how Harry and the other students stand up, and follow their
values. During the first meeting of Dumbledores Army Ginny Weasly says, Yeah the D.A.s
good... Only lets make it stand for Dumbledores Army because thats the Ministrys worst fear,

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isnt it(Rowling 392). This not only symbolizes the Ministrys worst fear, it symbolizes how the
students are uniting due to common values and beliefs. They are acting based upon their
common values, of honesty and doing the right thing. It symbolizes them coming together to put
a stop to Umbridge, and take a stand against her and the Ministry. This club is an important use
of figurative language because it illustrates Harry and his classmates standing up for themselves
and following their values. They all value honesty, and doing the right thing and the Ministry is
trying to make them go against their values. By doing this, they are going against the Ministry,
because they are done with the Ministry of Magic telling lies and seeking more power. In The
Book Thief Markus Zusak effectively uses symbolism to represent strong ideas, values, and
messages. THE BEST word shakers were the ones who understood the true power of words.
They were the ones who could climb the highest. One such word shaker was a small, skinny girl.
She was renowned as the best word shaker of her region because she knew how powerless a
person could be WITHOUT words. That's why she could climb higher than anyone else. She had
desire. She was hungry for them(Zusak 446). This symbolizes how those who understand and
value the power of words can truly succeed and understand life. This explains the importance of
words and how they truly are ones greatest gift. The author uses this to represent Liesels life,
values and the power of words. In both cases the authors use metaphors and symbolism to
convey the message that words can do more damage than any weapon but can also bring endless
beauty and happiness. Zusak uses this idea to explain how because of Liesels value for words,
she can climb the highest in the world. Both authors use figurative language to perfection
throughout the texts.
While some may argue that the plot is not used to convey the theme, ones values affect
their actions, but to create both man vs world conflict and man vs self conflict. J.K. Rowling

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creates these conflicts with Harry Potter because of his ridicule in the wizarding world, and with
the challenge he faces to go against his values in order to stay out of trouble. While arguing over
Voldemorts return with Umbridge Harry says, Its NOT a lie!(Rowling 245). This quote is a
strong use of emotion, by J.K. Rowling. Some readers may interpret this a simply a way to create
conflict in the story between Harry and Umbridge, instead of Harry fighting for his values and
acting based upon them. However these fail to understand the depth in this argument. Harry is
not only fighting for himself, and his image. He is fighting for what he believes in, what he
values. He is shocked and disgusted that the Ministry would lie about Voldemorts return, to keep
people from being scared and to maintain power and control. Harry does not agree with these
actions because he values honesty. This disagreement is why Harry argues with Umbridge. He
sides with what he values and argues against Umbridge. This explanation is the true meaning of
the quote and is why the plot is used to develop values, and to convey the theme.
Zusak and Rowling use character development to develop their main characters, and use
this to explain why these characters stand up and fight for what they believe in. By examining
the plot, the reader is able to find the importance of the rising action and the climax and how they
relate to the theme. Lastly, the authors use figurative language such as symbolism to convey the
theme, values are what cause ones actions. When Dumbledore says, It is our choices Harry that
show us who we are, far more than our abilities he is referring to the idea that one is what one
values and what one does, not what one can do. It is ones values that cause ones actions, and
ones values are who one truly is.