THE BOOK THIEF - Page 3 of 10 - book summaries and study materials

Summary and Analysis Part 8: The Word Shaker: The Anarchist’s Suit Collection

Analysis In this chapter, Liesel thinks about kissing Rudy instead of Rudy chasing after her. But his mind is on his father and how much he misses him. Liesel’s feelings for Rudy are changing, growing stronger, in her thoughts of kissing him. But Death has already said that she won’t, […]

Summary and Analysis Part 8: The Word Shaker: The Hidden Sketchbook

Markus Zusak

In the book are captions and stories of Rudy and the snowman, the 13 presents, nights of reading by the fire, and even Max’s family. There is also a fable about the Fuhrer who plants words like seeds throughout an entire nation, grows forests of these thoughts throughout all of […]

Summary and Analysis Part 8: The Word Shaker: The Bread Eaters

Markus Zusak

Analysis This chapter shows how Liesel and Rudy have changed from thieves who steal into bandits who give to those who need it most. Despite Rudy’s continual hunger, he’s willing to give his bread away to the Jews, whose suffering is so intense. Liesel’s search for Max shows how conflicted […]

Summary and Analysis Part 8: The Word Shaker: The Collector

Markus Zusak

Analysis Not only does this chapter illustrate the violence that epitomized the war, but it also shows Hans seeing many of the things that Death has been seeing. The image of Hans carrying a dead man is similar to how Death must carry the souls of so many. Also for […]

Summary and Analysis Part 8: The Word Shaker: The Promise Keeper’s Wife

Markus Zusak

Himmel Street is not the same. Everyone’s hearts are heavy. Weeks pass and Rudy comes over to Liesel’s house and asks if she’s coming with him. She doesn’t know where they are going, but she follows. They walk for miles, and she finally asks where they’re heading. Rudy says he’s […]

Summary and Analysis Part 8: The Word Shaker: Punishment

Markus Zusak

Analysis The outside world is now coming after Hans and Alex Steiner. The Nazi Party is punishing them for their actions, Hans for giving bread to a Jew and Alex Steiner for refusing to give up Rudy. The words on Hans’s letter are powerful in that they are responsible for […]

Summary and Analysis Part 8: The Word Shaker: The Thought of Rudy Naked

Markus Zusak

Analysis This chapter illustrates how Liesel can sense that something bad is on the horizon, as if she can sense Death approaching Rudy and Max in how she imagines that those fallen dominoes are like people. Such an image of so many bodies stacked one on top of another recalls […]

Summary and Analysis Part 8: The Word Shaker: Dominoes and Darkness

Markus Zusak

The two men talk about Rudy’s high scores in class and his athletic ability. Rudy is angry with himself for showing off at the carnival. The men promise Rudy certain privileges, but Alex and Barbara protest. Alex has heard the rumors about the brutality of the school where they want […]

Summary and Analysis Part 7: The Complete Duden Dictionary and Thesaurus: The Idiot and the Coat Men

Markus Zusak

After four days pass, Hans goes to the bridge at the Amper River and finds the note from Max. Then, three weeks later, Liesel sees coated men on their street on her way home. She runs into the house and tells her father that they’ve come for him. Hans goes […]

Summary and Analysis Part 7: The Complete Duden Dictionary and Thesaurus: Peace

Markus Zusak

The plan is for him to go to a bridge down the Amper River and wait four days for Hans to come. However, Max only stays a few minutes. When Hans does come for Max, he finds only a note from Max telling him that he’s done enough already. Liesel […]