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Reflections on a Year of Reading German Literature

Titles Read:

The Book Thief - Markus Zusak

Refugee - Alan Grantz

The Diary of a Young Girl - Anne Frank

These books are from different countries and different time periods, but they all have a common thread of highlighting the resilience of the human spirit in times of adversity. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is set in Nazi Germany during World War II and follows the life of a young girl named Liesel, who finds solace in books during the darkest moments of her life.It’s setting is in Germany in the beginning when the Nazi is taking power. It portrays the power of literature and storytelling to provide hope and a sense of humanity in times of war and oppression, in Liesel's case while being a non jew she sees the events caused by Hitler first hand, it’s oppression and discrimination against Jews. The unnecessary violence, the construction of concentration camps, and forced relocation of Jews all taking place in the 1900s and through these hardships people managed to persist and survive using hope and family and friends (theme).

Refugee by Alan Grantz is a fiction novel 3 stories each based on a refugee child each from 3 countries - Syria, Nazi Germany, and Cuba. It shows the bravery and persistence of each refugee in their pursuit of a better freer, and life, despite the many struggles and dangers they go against. Joseph a Jew from the Nazi Germany story, experienced tragic losses with separation and death. Joseph and his family dreamt of an end of running and hiding while triumphing over many obstacles still dies at the end. Sacrificing himself and his mother to save Joseph’s sister Ruthie from the concentration camps. After both the mother and Joseph die in the concentration camp. Signifying the theme throughout the Nazi’s era and its stories caused a lot more deaths than dreams coming true and everyone surviving.

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank is a first hand experience of an adolescent Jewish girl's life in hiding during the Nazi rise to power of the Netherlands and Germany. It provides an introduction and story into the daily struggles and hopes of a young girl facing discrimination and forced to hide from the world - specifically the Nazi’s. Also highlights the importance of family, friends and a positive attitude towards the conflict. However Anne Frank was unable to survive World War II and Hitler’s reign even after all the safety precautions taken to avoid relocation to a concentration camp and death she couldn’t survive. Showing that the theme is life doesn’t always go your way

From these 3 books I read over the last 20 weeks, I learned that humanity can prevail even the darkest moments in history. These books show that hope, resilience, bravery, and a belief in a better future are essential to overcoming impossible situations that seem scarce in survival. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak you’re able to see the bond she makes in her new family when they open up and comfort Liesel during these tough times, like when Mr. Hubermann comforts Liesel commonly at night when she has a nightmare. Also, Refugee by Alan Grantz in Joseph’s story, Joseph in such a dark and dangerous moment in history that he bravely sacrificed himself so his sister would be spared, showing the resilience and courage Joseph had to save his sister like a highly responsible big brother. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank, I remember while hiding in the annex from the Nazi’s, debris, and the missiles they persevered through hope, and resilience together as if by blood. They experienced tough times like being supplied with less rations and near caught experiences with the Nazi’s.

After these 20 weeks of Independent Reading I’ve learned more about myself concerning books and more about time management. For starters I’ve read business and personal finance books on the side before Independent Reading to become more financially literate. After reading more storytelling stories both nonfiction and fiction I’ve learned that I preferred reading finance books. Mainly because of the useful knowledge you gain about your future but also because the stories related to Germany are usually boring. In general I find books and reading boring. I’ve given it my best try and with an open mind but it never clicked with me. This Independent Reading assignment feels more like a chore than an actual thing I look forward to doing. On the other hand, while it feels like a chore I was able to adapt to my busy schedule and continue to read 10 pages everyday right after school and had time to go to work after.

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"They say that war is death's best frie4nd, but I must offer you a different point of view on that one."

The Book Thief - Markus Zusak pg. 311

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"In truth, I think he was afraid. Rudy Steiner was scared of the book thief's kiss."

The Book Thief - Markus Zusak pg. 303

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"Rudy noticed Deutscher walking along the footpath with some friends and felt the need to throw a rock at him."

The Book Thief - Markus Zusak pg. 296

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"Rudy did his best to survive the Hitler Youth."

The Book Thief - Markus Zusak pg. 282

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"On the step, he perused the mud that had dried as a crusty sheet on his uniform,"

The Book Thief - Markus Zusak pg. 271

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I.R. Blog #20

The Book Thief - Markus Zusak

Pages Read: 221 - 270

Word Count: 361

Summary: In this section of the novel "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak, Death spoils how Rudy is going to die within 2 years but no specifications like how, where, or when. Liesel and Max continue to bond and she cuts Max’s hair while reading a book to him, also tries to paint a picture of the outside world’s weather to Max using scraps of paper available. On behalf of the war itself, Germany invades Russia causing the towns and cities to be on edge and life to be harder. Unfortunately due to this event the mayor’s wife tells Liesel that they can no longer sell washers due to insufficient funds. 

Critical Analysis: I believe the most interesting quote out of the 5 from this week is, "They looked on as both the hidden Jew and the girl slept, hand to shoulder". Looking at this quote critically you’re able to tell that after weeks of Liesel and Max rarely being able to see each other they still persist in making a tight bond with each other as if siblings. It’s ironic because in Mr. Hubermann's case his son died and similar to Liesel who lost her brother, both had been replaced by Max. Allowing Zusak to create a perfect bond with Max and the audience so they could feel more sympathetic.

Personal Response: Discussing about Max and his recent stay in Mr. Hubermann’s home I believe it brought more benefits than drawbacks. You’re clearly able to tell the amazing bond Max is making at home, being seen more as a family member than a pest or liability. However in my point of view I would always see Max as a liability because of the risk he holds while trying to house him during these times. Of course I would continue to treat him as a guest and take care of him but my thoughts remain the same. With the story going as is I sense that a huge turning point will happen very soon, something nobody would expect. I get a feeling that Max might be hiding something from the Hubermann’s, everything so far is going too good to be true.

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"He whispered for her to stop, but he, too, was dead, and not worth listening to."

The Book Thief - Markus Zusak pg. 263

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"Max stepped aside and plunged him into the corner. He punched him seven times..."

The Book Thief - Markus Zusak pg. 253

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"It started with gambling. Roll a die by hiding a Jew and this is how you live."

The Book Thief - Markus Zusak pg. 243

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"They looked on as both the hidden Jew and the girl slept, hand to shoulder"

The Book Thief - Markus Zusak pg. 238

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"For a week, Liesel was kept from the basement at all cost."

The Book Thief - Markus Zusak pg. 223

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I.R. Blog #19

The Book Thief - Markus Zusak

Pages Read: 171 - 220 pg.

Word Count: 358

Summary: Max is introduced into the story but this time is given information about his past and background. Max’s dad - Erick - knew Mr. Hubermann during WWI and had history together also including an accordion that Erick gave to Mr. Hubermann. Mr. Hubermann was always against Hitler and the Jew’s persecution, he considered the Nazi party solely because of his business slowing down but decided not to after seeing the mistreatment of innocent Jews. Mr. Hubermann helps Max and keeps him hidden in the basement and during the night when temperatures drop he sleeps in the house in a bedroom. Max becomes good friends with Liesel and when they see each other - weekly - they bond and spend time together. On Liesel’s birthday Max gifted her a book he wrote himself.

Critical Analysis: The quote I found most interesting out of the five this week is, "...the Hubermann's had lost a son and gained a replacement of especially dangerous proportions." It shows the hazardous risk that the Hubermann’s are taking while hiding Max in their home. While the Hubermann’s had lost a son they subconsciously replaced him with Max whom Mr. Hubermann had relations with his father during WWI. The bond that Mr. Hubermann and Erick had the feeling that Hubermann is somewhat responsible for Max and decides to take him in. The consequences for hiding a Jew during WWII is very terrifying, causing near death experiences and force to go to concentration camps.

Personal Response: I might sound like a horrible person for saying this but if I’m being honest I personally think what Mr. Hubermann did for taking in Max is very ballsy and has too much risk for a reward. It’s very kind and the most noble thing you can do as a human being but putting yourself and your family members at home at risk is too dangerous. All it takes is one mouth or a mistake for the Jew to be seen and it’s all over for everybody in the household. Zusak’s choice for this plot is dramatic and entertaining but I still believe in Mr. Hubermann’s shoes I wouldn’t  agree to letting Max in.

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"...the Hubermann's had lost a son and gained a replacement of especially dangerous proportions."

The Book Thief - Markus Zusak pg. 211

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""Liesel if you tell anyone about the man up there, we will all be in big trouble.""

The Book Thief - Markus Zusak pg. 203

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"For the next two years, he remained in hiding, in an empty storeroom."

The Book Thief - Markus Zusak pg. 194

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"As as the years passes by, the Jews were being terrorized at random throughout the country,"

The Book Thief - Markus Zusak pg. 181