Analysis

Death highlights the darkness of humanity in this chapter, describing the misery of the Jews as they marched. By contrast, Hans acts out of goodness and kindness. Again, there exists this blurring of lightness and darkness in the human stories that Death has witnessed. This chapter also increases the tension in the book, bringing even greater worry upon Hans and his family for the suspicion he’s now brought upon him. This moment recalls the bonfire on Hitler’s birthday when Liesel says that she hates Hitler. On that day, Hans told her that, outside of the house, she had to be careful about what she said and how she acted. In this moment, Hans forgets this. He is too good of a person to ignore the man on the ground.