The Book Thief Humanity Analysis

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Human nature and humanity is a complicated debris of feelings, morals, ideals, identity and decisions. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is set in Nazi Germany where the nature of humanity is prominently displayed, to the extreme at times, during a harsh period full of mass discrimination, loss, glaring propaganda, and war. The characters in The Book Thief all suffer from personal trials in a cruel world that shows the good and the dark side of humanity as human morality is also presented as a fluid thing throughout the book. It is also of humanity to feel guilt, regret and to suffer, as exhibited by characters such as Ilsa Hermann and Max Vandenburg, but at the same time, persevere and struggle against unfavourable or devastating odds. The Book …show more content…
Through actions, the black and white of humanity is displayed by the characters in the text as well as how prejudice can affect how people act towards others. Hans Hubermann is one such character that embodies the cordial side of humankind. He shows how humanity can present no hesitation when following ethical morals. He paints over Jewish slurs on a Jewish clothing store regardless of the blatant discrimination of Jewish people around him and the threat of punishment. This is an act Furthermore, when Hans is enlisted to paint people’s blinds black, he does not ignore anyone in the need of his service, not even asking for much as, “there he was, painting those blinds for nothing, or for a cookie[…] [n]ever did he tell them to cover their windows with spare blankets, for he knew they’d need them when winter came” (354). Though he is someone who lives in poverty, he does not request payment and does not reject anyone’s need for his service. This is a selfless action that can be present in humanity through charity and simple self- sacrifice. Throughout the book, Hans has shown the kindness and good morality that can be evident in humans, however, the setting being Nazi Germany, the worst of human morality can also be seen. Prominent actions that display this are from the soldiers in the Death Marches. While the Jewish people are being marched through Munich, impoverished and near death, …show more content…
The portrayal of the characters through their everyday life in Nazi Germany exhibits the different moral compass in every human as well as the constant toil that they experience. However, despite the struggle, it is of human nature to keep on struggling as a means to keep on living or to achieve their goals. Humanity is very differentiated depending on the individual and situation, however the value of life is something that humans recognize, whether that be their own or others, subconsciously through actions or thought, or consciously- it is a will to not end it. But life is also something that has proved to be torturous and something that humankind destroys, whether that be tearing themselves apart or destroying
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