The Heroism in Sacrifice (Marcus Zusak’s Book Thief Essay Example)

Since the beginning of time, humankind has struggled with the eternal question; would you risk your life to save someone else? This debate has puzzled the moral world for centuries. Morals are extremely subjective. Humans all have different ethical beliefs, and our response to this question may change based on current circumstances. There are moments where one is entirely selfless and would do anything for others. Still, all people have a deep-rooted desire to survive. This inner battle of morals occurs in many of the characters in Marcus Zusak’s Book Thief. In this story, the character of Death recounts the life of a young girl, Liesel Memminger, as she lives with her foster parents, Hans and Rosa Hubermann, under the heartless Nazi regime. Hans makes the painstaking decision to hide a Jewish man named Max Vanderburg in their basement, protecting him from his ultimate fate of being forced into a concentration camp. However this action puts his entire family and himself at serious risk. If the Nazi's were to discover Max, the punishment could be as severe as death. Despite this, the Hubermann's do everything in their power to provide for Max. Through the Hubermann family’s desire to protect deserving people, the novel indicates that it is with the sacrifice of one’s own life to save another. 

The Hubbermann's were well aware of the dire sacrifices they were making to conceal Max. Despite the dangers, Hans and Rosa did everything in their power to ensure his comfort. In the first week of Max’s arrival, the Hubermann's made the decision to hide him in their basement. While overwhelmed by the risks, they were accepting of Max. Hans and Rosa gave Max as much as they could provide, without argument or criticism. Max, overcome by guilt, denied any additional supplies, and yet the Hubermann's insisted on caring for him.  The scene reads, “Hans and Rosa, both steeped in the despair of the predicament, made no argument, not even in regard to the cold. They heaved blankets down and topped up the kerosene lamp. Rosa admitted that there could not be much food, to which Max fervently asked her to only bring scraps, and only when they were not wanted by anyone else. ‘Na, na’ Rosa assured him, ‘You will be fed as best I can’”(Zusak 207).  From this quote, one can see the compassion and care from Hans and Rosa, even though they were well aware of the dangers looming near. Hans and Rosa were “steeped in the despair of the predicament”, and yet welcomed Max. They almost instantaneously began providing for his needs. This quote shows the Hubermann’s sacrifice and compassion in the moment where Max asked for only scraps. Rosa says to him, in a kindness rarely seen, that “You will be fed as best I can”. The Hubermann's knew very well that they were sacrificing their lives and limited supplies for Max. The actions of Hans and Rosa show their value of other lives, and the extent to which they will go to protect others. Their admirable actions serve as a reminder that when one sacrifices their life, they are a person who unconditionally cares for others, and thus, a person deserving of utmost respect. However, these sacrifices often come with challenging decisions. 

The Hubermann's were faced with many difficult decisions during their time hiding Max. Every decision required careful consideration about raising suspicions. Taking into account their personal safety, the family always acted in Max’s best interests. During one frigid winter, Max began to grow worryingly ill. He struggled to even stand, and it became apparent that he was in need of more extreme care. This put Hans and Rosa in quite a predicament. To bring Max up from the basement would further jeopardize their safety. The Hubberman’s did it anyway. At this moment, Liesel asks fervently if Max is going to be ok, and Rosa’s response shows her true determination. Death narrates, “Rosa turned then and said something with great assurance. ‘Now listen to me, Liesel. I didn’t take this man into my house to watch him die. Understand?’... In the course of the night, Max was visited seven times” (Zusak 315). This illustrates the dedication of the Hubermann's. If not for their commitment to protect Max despite the dangers, he would have likely died. The process of caring for Max upstairs put them all at great risk. Rosa was unwilling to stand by and do nothing.She said firmly “I did not take this man into my house to let him die”, showing she was willing to sacrifice her safety and was not going to let him die. Also notable is the fact that Max was visited  “seven times” during the night. Hans, Rosa, and Liesel all went out of their way to check up on the very person that was putting them at risk. While deathly ill, Max received the best care and attention the family could provide. This decision shows how much the Hubermann's valued Max’s life. They understood that it was worth giving up their safety to help someone who was suffering. They made this decision without complaint, and were attentive to Max throughout his recovery. The Hubermann's felt they had a duty and privilege to protect Max, and acted accordingly. Their response to this plight shows the significant sacrifices and difficult choices they made to help another in need.

The Hubermann family’s hospitality towards Max serves as a reminder that it is worth the sacrifice of one's life to save another deserving person, as it is the purpose of humanity to protect those in need. The novel shows time and time again Hans and Rosa's willingness to risk their lives to protect Max. From the first day of Max’s arrival, Hans and Rosa made sure to provide him with as many supplies as possible. Although well aware of the severity of their situation, Hans and Rosa never hesitated to make sure Max was comfortable. Their selflessness never faltered, even when faced with difficult decisions when Max became extremely sick.  Both moments show their sacrifices to protect Max. The honorable actions of the Hubberman's resonate in the hearts of many. Throughout centuries, humans have been put in difficult situations in which they may decide to compromise their safety for another. It is almost a natural instinct of many to, metaphorically, “step into the line of fire” for another person. These heroes have, time and time again, proven that it is simply human nature to protect others. The sacrifices in the novel should lead many to ask themselves; if in a situation where another life is in danger, is the sacrifice worth the risk?