Character Analysis Of Hans Hubermann In The Book Thief

Hans Huberman helped Liesel cope with the death and allowed her to be more like a little girl. On Christmas eve Liesel brings Max pots and pans of snow. The event that haunted Liesel is, “In mid-February, a few days before Liesel was thirteen, he came to the fireplace on the verge of collapse. He nearly fell into the fire.” (Zusak 314)

Their relationship is broken into tiny pieces because of their different ideologies. 3. “Of course not, Liesel. You are safe.” - Rather than punishing Liesel, Hans forgives her and offers to read her the stolen book.

It was unheard of and frowned upon for somebody to defy Nazi forces and stand up for a person who was really not considered a person at that time. As Hans Hubermann takes it upon himself to act for the minority, he is undertaking the responsibility of not submitting to the cultural standards. Even in this case, where the person who stood up was fully persuaded of the cause he was fighting, his action was still quickly muffled and put down. This goes to show that those who try to affect change can’t alway achieve it because they simply don’t have the social and political means to be allowed to freely pronounce their beliefs, however true they may be. Hans was not given the opportunity to preach his opinions, which truly is oppression at its

Liesel has realized she must respect the man who was the reason for her and her entire families suffering. She has realized she officially has lost her home, that she is completely isolated from the community. “It was quite a sight seeing an eleven year old girl try not to cry on church steps, saluting fuhrer”(Zusak 115). After losing all of these emotionally wrecking things Liesel learns and understands she needs to keep going forward. She refuses to give up she although times are rough manages to think, it could be worse.

My theme for Themes of the Book Thief Quickwrite is Bravery and Cowardice. The questions for this theme are “In Hitler’s Germany is it cowardice NOT to stand up to the Nazis and their beliefs?” “ Is this cowardice Acceptable?”“Who was brave in this society?” We will take one paragraph going through each of these questions and their answers. “In Hitler’s Germany is it cowardice NOT to stand up to the Nazis and their beliefs?

Hans Hubermann, Liesel’s foster father, helped Jewish people in whatever way he could. When a Jewish shop named Kleinmann’s was vandalized, Hans asked the owner if he needed any help cleaning up, and promised to come back the next day and paint his door, which he did (Zusak 181-182). Hans delayed applying to the Nazi party because he didn’t agree with their beliefs, and by helping the owner he was put under more suspicion, however he felt that it was a proper action and didn’t allow danger to stop him. In addition to Hans act of kindness, the Hubermanns took a Jew named Max into their care, and allowed him to stay with them to be safe. In a book overview, Tabitha Hall observes, “Though not Jewish, Liesel and her foster parents struggle as they keep their Jewish friend hidden…” (“Overview: The Book Thief”).

Courageously, Liesel went ahead and befriended Max. Liesel made Max feel wanted and his whole attitude changed. Instead of feeling like an unwanted Jew that represented everything wrong with Germany, Liesel made Max feel like a human. In other words, Liesel took Max how he already was and left him better than he was previous to their relationship. Liesel courageously developed loyalty toward Max in a time when she could have seen him as an enemy.

Hans is a warm-hearted and compassionate man who was the first that connected to Liesel. When Liesel first arrived at Himmel Street, she refused to leave the car and meet her new family. While it took them quite a bit of time to persuade her to leave, “It was the tall man who did it”(28). The first encounter between Liesel and Hans is a memorable and significant moment because it is the moment that shows how their friendship initiated. If Hans would not have sat by Liesel’s side and coaxed her to leave the car, then she would not have developed that initial trust that transpired through this.

In some cases he accepts a few cigarettes in exchange for his services and other times he gets nothing. Also in the novel, Hans tries to give a piece of bread to a dying Jew. By doing this he is putting himself in a very vulnerable position just to help a person who he does not know.

Also, when Mama was depressed about Papa going to war, Mama would sleep with Papa’s accordion Liesel acknowledged “that there was great beauty in what she was currently witnessing, and she chose not to disturb it” (Zusak, 429). Finally, when Liesel’s papa gave a Jew bread during the parade and what Liesel did during the parade, she gave Jews bread by placing them in the street. How the author characterized Liesel

Papa’ She must have said it a hundred times as she hugged him in the kitchen and wouldn’t let go” They have always had a strong bond, even when she first moved to Himmel street. For example, on page 35 it shows that it only took Liesel a short period of time before she was able to trust Hans. It says “Fifteen passed till they were able to coax her from the car. It was the tall man who did it.”

Based on the circumstances that they are developed in, humans are capable of both good and evil. Markus Zusak's The Book Thief explores the complexities of human nature through his use of setting, symbols and characters. Different characters possess different qualities based on their experiences. Symbols are used to illustrate both the beauty and the ugliness in humanity. Also, in the novel, the setting in which the character is raised has either a negative or positive effect on the characters actions.

A main reason Liesel develops into the character she is by the end of the novel is due to the individuals she meets and her relationships with them. When Hans Hubermann becomes

Liesel and her father’s relationship grows each and every day they are together. She feels comforted by his presence. “Liesel observed the strangeness of her foster father’s eyes. They were made of kindness, and silver… Upon seeing those eyes, understood that Hans Hubermann was worth a lot,” (Zusak Ch 6).

He even tried to push her away, but the girl was too strong.’” (511) The time of the Holocaust was hell-like for the Jews. Just because of their religion, they were harassed and and abused by the Germans in inhumane ways. However, Liesel was a girl who stood up for humanity and justice.