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 powerful enough to heal him. The image of the tear on Max’s face is important in that it evokes the yellow tear that Liesel cried earlier for her mother, and it also alludes to a tear that will be important later in the story.