Character Analysis of Liesel Meminger in Markus Zusak's The Book Thief Essay

Liesel Bystander to Rescuer to SurvivorIn Markus Zusaks The Book Thief, the character Liesel Meminger was a shy, heartbroken girl. She had to move to Himmel Street in Molching, Germany because of her parents persecution in World War II Germany. Her mother did not feel Liesel was safe with her anymore. During her time spent living with Rosa and Hans Hubermann she developed into a strong-willed survivor and a brave rescuer. Liesel made many friends and was usually able to make the best out of what she was given. Liesel transformed throughout the novel from a bystander to a rescuer to a survivor.Liesel was a bystander because she was shy and observant. It took her a long time to tell Hans about her deceased brother, Werner, which shows she was pretty shy and reserved (87). This illustrates that it takes time for her to trust. Later in the novel, Hans and Liesel went into the middle of the street where the Nazi party was burning books that seemed like threats to their power. Here Liesel observed that Hitler must have been the one behind her fathers disappearance (111). Hitler had the power to control what people thought by the use of words. This highlights the fact Liesel is observant. Next, Liesel was shown as a rescuer because she was brave and compassionate. After making the discovery that Hitler was likely behind her parents disappearance, she shouted that she hated Hitler (115). Her bravery was shown by this act because not many people would be brave enough to say such a thing aloud in that time period. Later, when Liesel was in mayor Hermanns library and she encountered a book with a name scribed on it she questioned the mayors wife about the name and why it was written on the book (145) when she discovered that the name, Johann Hermann, was Ilsa Hermanns son who died years ago, she expressed her sympathy to...

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