Persuasive Essay: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Book Thief, written by Markus Zusak, is about a young girl named Liesel viewed through the eyes of Death. Liesel finds empowerment through words and uses them in both a negative and positive way. Although Liesel is portrayed as a benevolent young girl who is very caring, there are times she uses words against good rather than for. Liesel has  "hobby" for stealing books, and the majority of her time on Himmel street is reading them. She represents the contradiction of Beauty and destruction in this story by being both dishonest and full of wonder. Not only in this story, but in  everyday lives, humans bring both sunshine and rain.

Liesel has many beautiful moments in her life, and she is an example of the good the world can bring. Throughout the story, Liesel's character shines as she continues to help others. Liesel had a friend named Max; Max was a Jew hiding from the Nazis, and Liesel was his only friend. Most people would ignore the hidden feathers, but Liesel doesn't. She does more than feed him; Liesel wants to show how Max can still view the world as a friend opposed to the enemy, even if that's not true. For example, on page 312, Death states "Arschloch" Papa yelped. "Liesel, give me some of that snow. A whole bucket!" For a few minutes, they all forgot. There was no more yelling or calling out, but they could not contain the small snatches of laughter. They were only humans, playing in the snow, in a house."". This quote exemplifies how Lisel cared enough about Max to show him what the outside world is like and bring a bucket of snow to the basement. Interestingly, snow has a significant meaning. Snow often symbolizes innocence and…death. No matter who you are, and what you have done, you will face death. Just how you will always face the brutality of winter, which is beautiful too.

Although Liesel has a huge heart, she still has done dishonest and cruel acts. One instance is when she steals from Ilsa Hubberman after interpreting her gift as an insult. She scolds Ilsa, which she  ultimately regrets. On page 262, Death narrates, "You think," she said, "you can buy me off with this book?" Her voice, though shaken, hooked at the woman's throat. The glittering anger was thick and unnerving, but she toiled through it. She worked herself up even further to the point where she needed to wipe the tears from her eyes. "You give me this saumensch of a book and think it'll make everything good while I go and tell my mama that we've just lost our last one? While you sit here in your mansion." This quote shows how Liesel is furious and daggers, Ilsa, to make her feel bad. Later in the book, there are instances when Liesel appears opposite of how she previously acted. Throughout the story, Liesel also shows dishonestly when she lies to her mama about what she did. After Liesel finds out about her mama getting fired, she gets upset and goes home, only to tell Rosa it was her fault. She gets beat to take place of the guilt she forged in herself. Although it was to protect Ilsa her lying was a dishonest thing to do.