Literary Language in The Book Thief

Everyday society uses a wide variety of words to communicate with one another and to help them deliver messages to each other. In the novel, The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak he uses a wide range of writing styles and devices to deliver a paradoxical massage that he believes society over looks. Most importantly he uses simple sentences to make it as easy as possible for the reader to understand what messages he is trying to deliver. Through the novel he addresses how humanity acts and the result of their actions, but also includes how humanity should act and what they can achieve by acting so to what he states throughout the novel.

Zusak suggest that man’s fate is driven by the presence of destruction which can allow humanity to see the beauty in their imperfections in order to reach happiness.

Zusak uses figurative language to appeal to the readers in order to help them understand an event’s importance in how it brings one destruction and beauty.

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Zusak specifically uses fragment sentences to give emphasis and make the reader rethink a statement all together. “First the colors. Then the humans. That’s usually how I see things. Or at least, how I try” (Zusak 3). Zusak uses fragment sentences because when the reader finishes reading what should be a full sentence they realize that they may do the complete opposite of what is being stated. Through this quote Zusak is trying to say that humanity should base someone on their character, which Death perceives as colors, but instead individuals judge and label each other on physical traits, which Death perceived through the term humans.

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Zusak also uses simile to help provide the reader a picture and familiarity of the current situation. “The sky was like soup, boiling and stirring” (12). Zusak compares the sky to soup to signify the change in scenery and that what is about to happen is not beautiful, but rather disrupting. Once again Zusak uses a fragment sentence as a way to go deeper in the book and show “the words” power and importance. “The book. The words” (534). By doing this he conforms to the reader that the book is influenced by words and the words are the reason society acts the way they do, without them humanity would not be able to communicate with each other and find shelter in words.

Zusak uses narrative point of view as a way to represent humanity to recognize a harsh truth that reality forgets. Zusak uses an authorial voice in the beginning of the novel to catch the reader's attention. “HERE IS A SMALL FACT You are going to die” (3). It is a harsh fact that society forgets and overlooks that it will happen to them. Even though it brings them pain, society shall not be afraid of it because it will also end ones suffering. Zusak uses this to set a tone and awareness of what the book will revolve around, which is Death and the actual act of death. Zusak uses an observant voice to put the reader in another perspective. “Where was someone to alleviate this robbery of his life? … No one. There was only me” (531).

Zusak uses an observant voice to help the reader realize the time in life when one does and how there is nothing more important because they are dying alone unaware of the feeling of comfort and being remembered. This is important because this is the time society can come together and be in harmony because they understand what each other is going through. Zusak also uses a confessional voice to seem less threatening and to appeal to the readers. “I wanted to tell the book thief many things, about beauty and brutality” (550). Zusak uses a confessional voice to share and confess his belief and knowledge of beauty and brutality, however he does do that through Liesel instead as revealed by Death. He confesses the beauty comes from innocence, acts of compassion, and hope, he also confesses that brutality is created by propaganda and the influence of words, and uses Hitler to prove this.

Zusak uses symbols to help establish an image to realize the possibility of goodness in a time of despair. In the novel Zusak uses Rudy’s teddy bear to represent innocence and humanity. “He placed the smiling teddy bear cautiously onto the pilot’s shoulder. The tip of its ear touched his throat. The dying man breathed it in. He spoke. In English, he said, ‘Thank you’” (490 & 491). By using the teddy bear, Zusak tries to tell the reader that there is hope in mankind if they realise that the purity in innocence can result in peace instead of hatred and ignorance. However, we are stripped from innocence because we are persuaded to believe what is and is not good and bad. Zusak uses an accordion because even though its music was not as appealing as it could be, it still brought harmony to those who listened. “It took longer than she expected for her eyes to adjust, and when they did, there was no denying the fact that Rosa Hubermann was sitting on the edge of the bed with her husband’s accordion tied to her chest” (428& 429).

Zusak uses the accordion because it brought them suffering, but also peace and suffering. This is because when Max entered in there lives even though the Hubermanns and Max were supposed to live as enemies, they proved that each other's existence can live together in harmony and result in happiness in each others company. Zusak makes the act of giving bread to the Jews, who are symbolized through the name bread eater, an act of beauty because it brings peace. “I’m not sure this is a good idea.’ He slapped some bread onto her palm. ‘Your papa did.’ How could she argue? It was worth a whippin” (440). Zusak includes this dialog between Liesel and Rudy to prove that happiness is brought to those who do what is right even though it seems like a sin to the eyes of the majority. By using devices like figurative language, narrative point of view, and symbols Zusak is able to create several paradoxical messages that informs readers flaws in certain truths.

Updated: Aug 17, 2022
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Literary Language in The Book Thief. (2022, Feb 07). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/literary-language-in-the-book-thief-essay

Literary Language in The Book Thief essay
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