“Don’t judge me by my past. I’m not in the past anymore. Accept me for who I am because this is me today.” This phrase with unknown origin has empowered many across the country to be more accepting of people who have changed or are different from them. In Markus Zusak’s novel The Book Thief, Rudy Steiner must learn to accept the change he believes main character Liesel Meminger has undergone. After Leisel runs to Max while he is under the control of the Nazis, Rudy’s perception of her changes. Rudy began to view Leisel as reckless after, despite his warnings, she ran towards Max while he was under the control of the Nazis. This revelation was big for Rudy as it allowed him for the first time to see the faults in the people he loved. Before
