Part Three
Quotations
"You could argue that Liesel Meminger had it easy. She did have it easy compared to Max Vanderburg. Certainly, her brother practically died in her arms. Her mother abandoned her. But anything was better than being a Jew." --Death, Part Three (151)
Leisel so far has had a horrible life and background that to anyone would seem dreadful, but in Nazi Germany literally the worst thing you could be is a Jew. Germany hated the Jews, because their leader, Hitler, thought they were an inferior race. So they were found and put into concentration camps, death camps, and labor camps. This could be the fate of the new character Max, but i guess i'll have to read to see where his story leads.
"'This,' Rudy announced at one point, with a candy-toothed grin, 'is the good life.'"--Rudy, Part Three (155)
This quote shows that even through the war, the rationing, the fighting, the bad times, the good times, the smallest of things can make someone's day one of the best they could ever have. Both Rudy and Leisel even shared this single piece of hard candy, 10 sucks for Rudy then 10 sucks for Leisel. Even if it wasn't much, they still enjoyed it with a smile on their faces.
"Her hair was tied back and her black dress choked her body. The framed photo of the Führer kept watch from the wall." --Death Part Three (155)
This quote depicts what Frau Diller looks like to me. A straight faced, strong and independent woman who will do anything to support her country and her leader.
Images
This picture to me makes me think of the mayor's wife's library. Death describes this such library saying, " Each wall was armed overcrowded yet immaculate shelving. It was barely possible to see the paint work. 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).
This is Adolf Hitler's famous novel Mein Kampf. You see it quite often throughout the novel, but you mainly see it in this chapter as it is held by the Jewish man Max. This picture helps me see Max and the situation he is in as he hold this book close to him at all times.
Connections and Historical Context
Click here if you would like to learn more about Adolf Hitler's famous novel, Mein Kampf.
Click here if you would like to learn more about Rationing during WWII.
Click here if you would like to listen to a full length audio book of Adolf Hitler's famous novel, Mein Kampf
Questions
Why did the mayor's wife Ilsa Hermann react in a positive manner to Leisel stealing the book from the fire by showing Leisel her library?
What might have happened if the person asking for Max's papers found that they were false?
What might have happened if Rudy and Leisel never approached Adam Berg and his gang of thieving hooligans?
At the end of Part 3, what house was Max most likely at? How do you know?
My Thoughts and Response
Part Three of the novel has a large story to tell. Leisel got away with thievery and was introduced to a plethora of books that were given to the most unsuspecting person ever, the mayor's wife. I found that part quite a shock. The mayor's wife saw everything that Leisel did and at first I thought she was going to report Leisel or something of that nature, but when she invited Leisel into her library I was astounded. I also felt sad for Ilsa Hermann due to the loss of her son, but at the same time I felt proud of her for making the best of a bad situation by embracing the loss of her son and suffering through it with dignity.
I was also are introduced to the story of the Jewish man we find out to be called Max. I'm first told about him where he is in a dark room with only a book. He gets some food, a map, and other supplies and then the story stops there for awhile. This continue and when it does, he starts shaving and cutting his hair so he could look like German. He then boards a train and is heading for Munich. The last place we seem him at before part four is standing on Himmel Street. I concluded that it was the Hubbermann's house. the confused me, since I don't have a single clue as to why Max would be standing in front of the Hubbermann's house, but It seems the most Logical.
This chapter has a lot to hold and I found it better than the last two. I especially thought the ending to part 3 was clever, it making you want to continue reading as it left you at a point of high suspense and curious as to what was going to happen next, just like a good TV show.
I was also are introduced to the story of the Jewish man we find out to be called Max. I'm first told about him where he is in a dark room with only a book. He gets some food, a map, and other supplies and then the story stops there for awhile. This continue and when it does, he starts shaving and cutting his hair so he could look like German. He then boards a train and is heading for Munich. The last place we seem him at before part four is standing on Himmel Street. I concluded that it was the Hubbermann's house. the confused me, since I don't have a single clue as to why Max would be standing in front of the Hubbermann's house, but It seems the most Logical.
This chapter has a lot to hold and I found it better than the last two. I especially thought the ending to part 3 was clever, it making you want to continue reading as it left you at a point of high suspense and curious as to what was going to happen next, just like a good TV show.