Analysis

Death’s descriptions of Hitler’s voice over the radio resonate again with this theme of words carrying power, how they motivate an entire nation to pursue war and the goal of “Deutschland uber Alles,” or “Germany above All.” This power contrasts, again, with Liesel’s lack of power resulting from her inability to read, which leads to her violent actions in the schoolyard, as she overcompensates in defending herself. The larger war that Germany has incited parallels Liesel’s smaller war in the schoolyard. Liesel’s success with her fists will earn her a friend later in the novel, another character who has a passion for boxing. At the end of this chapter, Rudy has his arm around Liesel, comforting her and walking her home. Rudy, the boy who wants to defeat the world, and Liesel, the “book thief without . . . words.” They’re not quite equipped yet, but they have each other.