Book Thief Essay Courage The Author of the

Book Thief Essay Courage

The Author of the novel, “Book Thief”, explores courage through various scenes using a handful of different characters in order to tell us a little about the character “Be strong and good of courage” Deuteronomy 31: 6. This quote resembles many of the characters in The Book Thief. A variety of characters displayed courage such as Hans Huberman, Rudy Steiner, and Liesel. The theme of Courage is shown anytime a character stands up for what they believe in despite it not being a popular idea. Standing up for what they believe may even get them hurt in the end. Courage is also shown when a character does something despite being afraid. Courage can be shown physically or emotionally/mentally by a character.

Rudy Steiner was always a character known for his great courage. Rudy was always in love with Liesel and he would always try to get her, but when he finally got his kiss it was too late. Rudy Steiner is mainly known for acting like the Olympic athlete, Jesse Owens. Rudy Steiner painted himself black to look like the athlete. This shows courage because at the time of the setting in the book, it was not right to look like someone of a black race. He steals books, apples and potatoes alongside Liesel. He even had jumped into a body of water to save a book for Liesel- chapter 44. Rudy and Liesel came across another character named Viktor, who had thrown Liesel’s book into Amper river in which Rudy jumped into to save it.

Hans Huberman displayed courage is several ways. Hans Huberman shows courage when he agrees to help Max Vandenberg. He had lived in the very centre of the Nazi territory, it is not the best setting for one to harbor and help a Jew during WWII. Despite the danger that it brings to himself and his family, Hans agrees to help Max anyway because he believes that it is the right thing to do. “In 1933, 90 percent of Germans showed unflinching support for Hitler. That leaves 10 percent who didn't. Hans Huberman belonged to the 10 percent. There was a reason for that. ” (Zusak 63). Despite the consequences him and his family could be brought upon, Hans Huberman still stands up for what he believes.

Liesel is the ideal definition of courage. Despite being of a very young age, she manages to make the best of her life. For example, when she was reading the book in her basement during the first air raid- this shows courage because despite the outcome of the air raid, she was always keeping focus and put aside her ow fear. Liesel’s most courageous act would be when she decided to put herself into harms way to warn her family about the Nazi home inspections. An example of courage related to Hans Huberman is in How to Train Your Dragon, Hiccup (the main dragon) shows great courage when he defies the norms of the Vikings and his father. He knew that he risked being made even more of an outcast than he already was, but stood up for what he believed in and changes those around him for the better.

Courage was displayed throughout the entire novel and I believe this was the main and most important theme in The Book Thief. After reading about how each of the main charatcers displayed courage, I feel as if Hans Hubermann had portrayed the best level of courage. Throughout almost the entire novel, Hans Hubermann showed nothing but courage and love to all characters, he always stood up for what he thought was right, and he always did what he thought was right.

Zusak, Markus, The Book Thief, New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005. Print. Shmoop Editorial Team. "The Book Thief Courage Quotes Page 1. " Shmoop University, 2008. Web. 23 Dec. 2016. Ms_ross. "Courage in The Book Thief. " A Novel Idea! N. p. , 2010. Web. 23 Dec. 2016. "Acts of courage in the book thief. " Acts of courage in the book thief. N. p. , n. d. Web. 23 Dec. 2016.