The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is a World War II historical fiction novel set in Germany. Told through the eyes of Death, this novel gives an insight into what life is like for everyday people in Molching, Germany, where Jews and many others are being persecuted under Hitler’s rule. This novel focuses on Liesel Meminger, Rudy Steiner, the Hubermanns, and Max, and their hope for peace and safety. Though this novel has many lessons to take away from it, kindness and cruelty of humans is seen throughout the plot of this novel, making it a major theme.
Through the ups and downs of this book, cruelty is shown in many forms and many different degrees, making it a part of the major theme. “The older boy swatted him away, the book held aloft. And he corrected him. “No,” he said. “I’ll do anything I want,” (301-302) Zusak gives a smaller degree of cruelty when Victor Chemmel takes the book from Liesel, as they are walking back from the store. Even as both Liesel and Rudy plead to get the book back, Victor has no sympathy for them, and later throws the book into the river. Zusak shows how cruelty can begin in the youngest of people. This confrontation shows how age and authority can make being cruel easier and more acceptable.
As the novel progresses, bigger acts of cruelty can be seen. When the Nazis are parading captured Jews, on their way to concentration camps, Hans Hubermann watches in disgust. After fighting a crowd, Hans rushes to give a piece of bread to a famished Jew. “The Jew stood before him, expecting another handful of derision, … Hans Hubermann held his hand out and presented a piece of bread, like magic.” ( 394) The affection shown to this man by Hans, a non-Jew, ultimately led to the cruel punishment of both.“ The Jew was whipped six times. On his back, his head, and his legs.” ( 394) The hatred shown toward the Jews and anyone who is kind enough to help them is a recurring factor of cruelty within this novel. Not only are Jewish people being killed, anyone helping the Jews are killed as well. Adolf Hitler and the Nazis brainwashed so many people into performing acts of cruelty to innocent people.
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Throughout the cruel acts of the novel, kindness is still shown throughout the plot. Liesel and the Hubermann family show grand acts of kindness while protecting Max, who is Jewish, from the Nazis. Liesel and Max form a strong bond as the novel progresses, despite their political differences. Zusak uses their bond as the ultimate example of kindness throughout the novel. Though Leisel and her family could be killed, they put their worries aside to help Max through his difficulties and hardships. ““Could you go up and tell me how the weather looks.”… When she returned to the basement, she told him.” ( 249) Leisel and her family did everything they could to ease Max’s pain both emotionally and physically.
By showing people like Hans Hubermann and Liesel Meminger, Zusak gives the reader an example of the kindness people are capable of. He also depicts degrees of heinous cruelty by giving us insight to what the Jewish people had to go through during World War II. The Book Thief is a great example of the cruelty and kindness, people can have within themselves, making this novel a great lesson for all who read.
