Analysis

This chapter establishes multiple characters who will come back to haunt Liesel later in the novel: her brother, her mother, and the Fuhrer. It also illustrates how early on Liesel is aware of the power of words, particularly Hitler’s. Already she understands the effect that words can have on people, despite that fact that she can neither read nor write. She also doesn’t believe that she speaks very well.

The Grave Digger’s Handbook is the first book that Liesel steals, prompting her not only to learn how to read, but also to steal more books. Liesel will learn to read in the Hubermanns’ home on Himmel Street. Death reveals that himmel is the German word for heaven. This is both a suitable and ironic name for the street: suitable because of the love that Liesel will find in the Hubermanns’ house, and ironic because of the ugliness that will sweep down this street in the form of marching Jews and bombings.

Hans’s ability to remove Liesel from the car in such a quiet and gentle way foreshadows the close relationship Liesel and Hans will develop. Even this early in the story, they understand one another.