Eight more days pass. Then, while Liesel is at school, Rosa comes to her classroom and pulls her out into the hallway. She pretends to be angry with Liesel for misplacing her hairbrush, and then whispers that Max is awake. That afternoon, Liesel reads more to Max. He’s afraid of […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 6: The Dream Carrier: Fresh Air, an Old Nightmare, and What to Do with a Jewish CorpseSummary and Analysis Part 6: The Dream Carrier: Thirteen Presents
Analysis In many ways, this chapter recalls Max’s arrival to Himmel Street. In his illness, his feathery hair returns to twigs. He sleeps, only this time for much longer. Liesel continues to bring gifts from the outside world to Max, and she reads to him, hoping that words will be […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 6: The Dream Carrier: Thirteen PresentsSummary and Analysis Part 6: The Dream Carrier: The Snowman
Analysis This chapter illustrates Liesel’s continued desire to bring the outside world to Max. This time she does so in the form of snow, and everyone in the Hubermann household is able to join in a lighthearted moment of fun. This contrasts starkly with the serious illness that befalls Max […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 6: The Dream Carrier: The SnowmanSummary and Analysis Part 6: The Dream Carrier: Death’s Diary: 1942
Analysis This chapter serves to humanize, and characterize, Death. Death provides more commentary on his feelings toward humans and how these catastrophic events do, in fact, affect him. He also brings up the theme of lightness and darkness through his example of Liesel, how there are sometimes beautiful stories like […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 6: The Dream Carrier: Death’s Diary: 1942Summary and Analysis Part 5: The Whistler: The Floating Book (Part II)
Analysis This is the scene that Death describes earlier in “The Floating Book (Part I),” but now Death tells us how The Whistler ended up in the river. Liesel and Rudy continue to be terrorized by leaders who embody Hitler’s ideals: Chemmel and Deutscher. This attack of the bad upon […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 5: The Whistler: The Floating Book (Part II)Summary and Analysis Part 5: The Whistler: Three Acts of Stupidity by Rudy Steiner
Second, Rudy refuses to answer correctly the date of Hitler’s birth at the Hitler Youth meetings, and he continues to receive punishment from Franz Deutscher. A few days later, Rudy sees Franz with some of his friends walking along the sidewalk, and Rudy throws a rock at him. Liesel, Tommy, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 5: The Whistler: Three Acts of Stupidity by Rudy SteinerSummary and Analysis Part 5: The Whistler: The Whistler and the Shoes
Analysis This chapter illustrates how Liesel is ready to take her book stealing to the next level. That Rudy is there to share this experience with her is important: Not only does book stealing contribute to the development of their relationship, but it also allows Rudy to give Liesel her […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 5: The Whistler: The Whistler and the ShoesSummary and Analysis Part 5: The Whistler: Sketches
Analysis Max’s illustrations provide a visual representation of how Hitler and his Nazis are controlling the minds of so many people, and how under Nazi control, dead bodies pile up. Liesel’s words, “You scared me, Max,” take on a double meaning in this chapter; he startles her when he wakes, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 5: The Whistler: SketchesSummary and Analysis Part 5: The Whistler: The Losers
Analysis Victor Chemmel’s character represents the qualities for which Adolf Hitler stands, qualities that Hitler perpetuates and encourages, a greediness that cannot be satiated. He follows Hitler’s example of using cruelty and instilling fear in others in order to get what he wants. The other boys in the gang are […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 5: The Whistler: The LosersSummary and Analysis Part 5: The Whistler: Rudy’s Youth
Analysis This chapter offers a glimpse into Rudy’s life and how he is made to suffer in his Hitler Youth group. Rudy shares Hans Hubermann’s sense of loyalty to friends, as well as his determination to choose right over wrong, even when making the right choice will result in punishment.
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 5: The Whistler: Rudy’s Youth