Analysis

With the description of Liesel, Death alludes to the ruling Nazi Party’s attempt to create an Aryan race of superior Germans with blond hair and blue eyes. Also, words continue to play a key role in Liesel’s life. The word Communist is something that she hears but doesn’t understand, but it carries enough power to result in the disappearance of her father. Another word that takes on great import is Saumensch, a name that Rosa calls Liesel when she does something wrong or is bothersome, but over time, Liesel comes to recognize this as a gruff term of endearment. She takes comfort in this in much the same way she takes comfort in Hans’s cigarettes and accordion music.