Prologue & Part One
Quotations
"I am in all truthfulness attempting to be cheerful about this whole, topic though most people find themselves hindered in believing me, no matter my protestations. Please, trust me. I most definitely can be cheerful. I cam be amiable. Agreeable. Affable. And that's only the A's. Just don't ask me to be nice. Nice has nothing to do with me." -- Death, Prologue (3)
This quote at the beginning of the novel shows Death's concern of people being afraid of him and disliking him. Him reassuring the readers that he's not evil helps them connect to him as more of a person instead of a dark force.
This quote at the beginning of the novel shows Death's concern of people being afraid of him and disliking him. Him reassuring the readers that he's not evil helps them connect to him as more of a person instead of a dark force.
"And the smaller one damn near exploded. He looked up at the tall one's chin and cried, "Spinnst du?! Are you stupid?!" The abhorence on his cheks was growing thicker by the moment." -- Smaller guard, Prologue (7)
"Spinnst du?!" is German for "Are you crazy?" This being partially in German shows the reader the country, Germany, that they are most likely reading about.
"Spinnst du?!" is German for "Are you crazy?" This being partially in German shows the reader the country, Germany, that they are most likely reading about.
"Then he read the title, which concentration, aloud: "The Grave Digger's Handbook.
So that's what it's called, Liesel thought."--Death, Hans, and Liesel, Part One (64)
This is a turning point for Liesel, one where she discovers what her book is about, the book that represents her brother's death. It's about grave digging. How ironic.
So that's what it's called, Liesel thought."--Death, Hans, and Liesel, Part One (64)
This is a turning point for Liesel, one where she discovers what her book is about, the book that represents her brother's death. It's about grave digging. How ironic.
Images
This comic makes me think of how Death tries to relate to humans.
This picture of an eclipse helps me imagine what Death sees.
This is what I imagine Lisel's teacher to be like.
Connections and Historical Context
- Color Psychology
- Information About Solar Eclipses
- Information about Trains in WW2
- Human Interpretation of Death
This is what I imagine Hans Hubermann's accordion playing would sound like.
My Questions
- What does Zusak hope to show by having Death narrate the story?
- What is Zusak trying to do through the use of colors?
- Why does Rosa show her love to Liesel through such aggression?
- Why is Rosa perpetually angry?
My Thoughts and Response
I find Death being the narrator intriguing. A novel introduced and narrated by Death makes me wonder how it will end. I find it interesting how Death tries to seem almost kind and how he is so intrigued in a little girl whose path and his cross mysteriously. This novel starts off fast, which I like, though I cannot yet see where it is going to end.
I would like to see how Liesel develops throughout the story. I wonder if she will be able to read better and not have so many nightmares and what it would take to help her through that.
I would like to see how Liesel develops throughout the story. I wonder if she will be able to read better and not have so many nightmares and what it would take to help her through that.