Brutality In The Book Thief

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In the novel, The Book Thief, beauty and brutality walk hand in hand, especially when it comes to the complex relationship between Liesel and Max. Brutality is the foundation of Liesel and Max’s friendship. They both come from tough backgrounds as a result of Hitler’s extreme hate. Liesel is taken from her mother and her brother dies, and Max is taken away from his family and forced into hiding. They connect over their painful nightmares, but out of their pain forms a friendship. Their friendship is very different than the relationships that Liesel has with Hans and Rudy, and one of the reasons it is different is because Max is Jewish and Liesel is German, which is an unheard of relationship in Nazi Germany. In their relationship, Liesel realizes …show more content…
Liesel then takes it upon herself to describe vibrantly what is going on outside. She also brings snow in the basement for him, wanting Max to feel as if he can be outdoors. Liesel retrieves the newspaper for Max, a sign that she truly cares about him and wants him to be happy. Amidst the suffering of living in a dark basement, Liesel displays love by talking to Max and staying with him in the basement. Liesel simply letting Max know what is going on in the world gives Max something to look forward too each day, instead of living in constant fear. As Max quotes, “Often I wish this would all be over, Liesel but then you go and do something like walk down the stairs with a snowman in your hands” (335). This quote shows that Max, despite his horrendous situation, finds hope and comfort in Liesel and her kind and beautiful displays of friendship. Max is forced to live in fear because of his identity of being Jewish, but Liesel creates an atmosphere of love and …show more content…
Liesel matures during their relationship, which is built out of understanding for each other’s situations. Liesel learns the impact that words can have on others, for good or for bad. While many terrible incidents occur during their times together, beauty sprouts from the pain. Liesel allows for Max to feel safe and comfortable during his painful hiding in the basement. Liesel also displays her strong bond of friendship when Max is marching towards the camp. Max and Liesel’s relationship, although built upon their painful past, becomes one of beauty and love for each other in The Book
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