Reading Journal of The Thief - Book Report/Review Example

 JOURNAL 1 PART 1 Reaction A) The thing that surprised me most about this particular section is the fact that in the beginning, no one noticed that the small boy had passed away except the narrator and the boy’s sister known as Liesel Meminger. The mother is said to have been fast asleep and it is rather odd that no one had reacted when the boy started coughing uncontrollably and then stopped suddenly, moving nor breathing no more. It also strikes me that the narrator himself is some sort of a grim reaper charged with the responsibility of collecting souls which he describes as having different colors, his favorite being dark, dark chocolate. Apparently, the Grim Reaper or Death is sad that no one can replace him for a few hours to allow him to take a vacation. B) Three questions I can explore and attempt to answer further about this particular text as I read further include: - (i) Why wasn’t anyone, the sister and the mother of the boy, paying any attention when the small boy started coughing uncontrollably? (ii) Was it really possible to replace the Grim Reaper/Death? (iii) Would Liesel, the boy’s sister get some counseling for the trauma she was undergoing due to the passing away of her brother? C) This particular novel is set somewhere along the way to Munich as the narrator is telling of the mother, boy and book thief, the sister of the boy, being in a train on their way to Munich. After the burial of the small boy, the readers learn that the book thief and the boy were being taken to a foster home without their apparent knowledge by their mother. The setting of the novel is relevant to them of the novel as I see it developing thus far in that what has just happened is a tragic occurrence, set on a cold, gloomy day and narrated by the Grim Reaper or Death himself. I think the setting is affecting the characters of the novel in that they are feeling extremely sad and unmotivated to carry on with their journey as they have just lost a dear loved one. Being set on a cold winter’s day, few individuals under such circumstances would have positive attitudes. D) I predict that Liesel will be mistreated by her new foster care parents. This is evident when she refuses to get out of the car and instead of the caregivers being patient with her and politely asking her why she does not want to leave the car, they are seen struggling with her where after a short while, Rosa Hubermann, the girl’s foster mother shouts curses at the few onlookers who were attracted to the commotion (Zusak 100). It is also evident that the foster mother is not kind or rather compassionate towards Liesel especially when she enquires as to why the girl is not getting out of the car. On page 15, instead of being gentle with Liesel, she asks, “What’s wrong with this child?”, sticking her face in the car and struggling with the girl (Zusak 45). PART II Character – The Narrator a.k.a the Grim Reaper or Death A) The character that I have chosen in this particular novel is the narrator himself, whom I have given the title of the Grim Reaper. A quotation that best describes him is on the novel’s prologue where he is quoted saying, “I could introduce myself properly, but it’s not really necessary…I will be standing over you…Your soul will be in my arms…I will carry you gently away” (Zusak pp. 4-5). B) The reason why I have chosen this quotation is because even though the narrator does not give a direct introduction of himself, the reader can automatically conclude the fact that this particular character is indeed Death or the Grim Reaper himself. Therefore the quotation is relevant in proving this point even though there are other examples of the same within the same Prologue. C) Despite the name I have given to the narrator, he happens to have some positive qualities that have revealed themselves in the course of the novel for instance the fact that he experiences emotions and feelings towards the survivors of the victims whose souls he has to take. The Prologue on page 5 indicates this fact where he, the narrator, says that he cannot stand to look at the survivors where he desperately tends to seek out colors to keep his mind off them (Zusak 69). Here, he exhibits a human emotion, that which we call sympathy. The narrator is also depicted as being considerate in that he is not quite pleased when he arrives too early or rush with his job that is, taking souls. In the course of the Prologue where he narrates bits of stories regarding his kind of work, Death narrates of how he had gone to pick a 24 year old boy’s soul and had to wait for when the timing was right to do so (Zusak pp.8). D) On the other hand, some of the negative qualities that Death has include the fact that he cannot change his mind once he has resigned to collecting a soul. All he can do is either perform his work quickly or wait for the right time to do it. The Grim Reaper’s job was also exhausting in some way as he was the only one charged with the responsibility of collecting human souls to a point where he longed for a vacation. That was another negative quality concerning him. E) In this particular novel, the character was created not only to make the narration more interesting but also to give the reader another perspective all together from the normal human perspective. His relationship with other characters is quite distant as the narration is but from a distant. The reader is given a picture of a third person looking from without to whatever is happening at that particular moment in addition to the feelings and attitudes the narrator has towards the particular incident. The Grim Reaper’s or Death’s contribution to the novel is that of the unknown which is now being made known to the reader. His point of view regarding the whole narration is rather sympathetic as the reader is shown a number of scenarios where Death is actually considerate and patient when collecting human souls. He is particularly patient and watchful over Liesel, the book thief, who is also a main character in his narration. As a result of Death’s perspective, I can learn of the fact that not all is what we believe to be regarding Death. PART III Theme A) One particular theme that tends to stand out in this novel is that of the relationship between Liesel and her mother. This is indicated by the quotation, “Mother and daughter vacated the cemetery and made their way toward the next train to Munich” (Zusak 224). This was immediately after the small boy’s burial and no where in the course of the narration is it indicated that the mother and daughter had a close relationship. Theirs was kind of a distant relationship, one that is found existing between parents who are either too busy to spend quality time with their children or those who do not know how best to relate with their growing children. B) As aforementioned, the quotation meant that there was no closeness between the mother and her daughter especially in that moment after they had buried their loved one. The quotation was said by the narrator to the readers as a follow-up of the scene that was taking place in the graveyard upon the burial of the small boy. C) The significance of this particular quotation to the novel as a whole and from what I can predict at this particular point is to make the reader aware of the kind of relationship existing between the mother and daughter where no emotion is shared even after such a tragic occurrence. This quotation is only part and parcel of the general relationship shared between these two individuals and acts as a guide for the readers. D) Some of the examples from the text to support the meaning of the theme I have expressed in my chosen quotation include the one on page 17 where upon arriving in Molching, Liesel is observed lamenting to herself and questioning, “If her mother loved her, why leave her on someone else’s doorstep? Why? Why? Why?” (Zusak 187). This was when she was being taken to meet her new foster parents for the very first time. Another quotation that supports the fact that Liesel and her mother did not quite share the loving bond that a mother and daughter ought to share is exhibited by the very fact that Liesel’s mother did not or rather was not observed to making a point of visiting her daughter while she was under the care of the Hubermanns (Zusak 301). Journal 2: page: 179 to page: 360 Part I What surprised me most about this section? What surprised me most in this section are the frozen motives that Rudy’s have that even after failing for months the only moment which he could reveal success and get a chance to ask for his favor he had long awaited that is to ask for a kiss from Liesel he is turned down. He then can not understand how this can happen. This clearly frustrates him although he does not conceal to her how much he loves her. (186) Prediction about the plot or a character Ruddy would eventually get a kiss from liesel. ruddy really loved liesel and his love for her is clearly seen by the way fantasies of her despite liesel denying him the long awaited kiss‘ all I was able to do was to turn to liesel and tell her the truth I truly know” and though he was a failure out of love he managed to rescues it Liesel's books (and most prized possession) when is thrown into a river book and from the cold water and pretended the water was not cold “Liesel, slowing to a walk, could see the ache of each step, the painful cold. When she was close enough, she saw it move past him,” (Zusak, 186) Part II A quotation that describes the character that I have chosen Character, Rudy Steiner "How about a kiss,Saumensch?” This clearly shows that Rudy has love interest and she moreover she teases her, regularly though he is not successful by asking her a kiss. Why I have chosen this quotation and why it is relevant. The quotation, “How about a kiss,Saumensch?” When Rudy says this it is very important because it means that indeed Rudy is in love with her. Rudy really wished to tell liesel that she loved here but wondered how or the manner in which he could tell her, and whether liesel knew of these things. He even wanted to tell her of the book thief and other things including beauty .However none of these things really came out of his mouth. The character’s contribution to the novel The character purpose is to help and offer support to other characters in the novel example is how he rescuers Liesel lost book from the ice cold water .other characters in the novel Relation with other characters he is good especially with Liesel who he truly loves and admires as his best friend and When the sirens signal Rudy and Liesel arrive at the science first where Rudy offers comforts to the dying pilot. The character’s Contribution to the novel Rudy really contributes in the novel where he helps to bring out the theme of love in the novel. Both friendly and romantic love is what Rudy have towards Liesel and he brings out this clearly because he is not even afraid to ask for a kiss from her. Although his feelings are not precise PART III A quotation from the section of the novel "He said to give this to you when you were ready.” When liesel was given the book The Word Shaker this was the begging for here to understand the world and to know the value of words. The book is also indicates that words hold remarkable power which can compel people to act. What the quotation meant who said it and to whom The quotation "He said to give this to you when you were ready,” these words were said to liesel by here foster mother the words meant that Liesel Meminger father cared for his daughter such that he left her something of great value. Her forester mother also cared for here since she fulfills the promise to deliver the book The Word Shaker cared very much for her, a book full of power for words. Significance of this quotation to the novel as a whole Significance of the quotation “He said to give this to you when you were ready” is that it tries to bring out the main theme of the novel which is value for words. The words that you speak describes who you are and what others perceive you At this point what I predict is that Liesel will learns that words can either cause destruction or can bring the peace with them. Examples that can support the theme value of word expressed in the quotation “All I was able to do was turn to Liesel Meminger and tell her the only truth I truly know. I said it to the book thief and I say it now to you “this shows that Rudy realized that if he did not disclose the fact that he loved Liesel he would continue tormenting himself. “How could she possibly turn him down?” 186 this shows that Rudy really loved Liesel Meminger and could not understand why she did feel the same way this brings out love issue which significantly is dealt with in the novel the book thief. Journal 3 PART I What surprised me most about this section? What surprised me most in this section is the death of Rudy a character I expected to continue al the way to the end. When he died during the bombing and then he got the kiss that he Longley awaited from leinsel when he was dead. This was on the contrary since he did not even know whether she got it because she was dead. If he had not died the section would have been more interesting especially if he could have gotten the kiss when he was alive. Unanswered questions at the end of the novel The question of morality, that is about the death in a novel whether it should really be included or not. The question of being I haunted by humans is according to me also still remains unanswered Changes that I would you make to the characters, setting or plot of this novel The changes that I could make to characters include ensuring that Rudy participates in the novel till the end. Rudy is a character who has greatly contributed to the love and mortality themes. He is also a likeable character in the novel. From the first time she loved Liesel Meming it would have been good if they finally ended up marrying each other. As to the plot I would make changes on war which I greatly hate and make it a loving plot all the way to end without including it. Evaluating predictions My predictions were that Rudy would eventually get a kiss from Liesel Meminger The predictions were right because on the night that Himmel Street was bombed without warning and when she finished her story that ended She finds Rudy dead and after reviving his lifeless body and she finally tell him she loves him and begged him to wake up at last he gave him first him the kiss that he had always asked for. Overall opinion of the novel My overall opinion of the novel the book is that it was great especially the question that Rudy asked after asking a kiss from Liesel Meminger “could you understand it?” and finally she ended asking it heresel towards the end and the funny thing is that the answer that “I am haunted by humans.” The part that I loved most is when Rudy finally gets the kiss that he had asked for even though he was dead it really makes sense. However when my character Rudy succumbed to death I think I kind of hated it PART II Character to focus in this section Liesel Meminger A quotation that describes the character I have chosen. You are going to die. Why I have chosen this quotation and why it is relevant. The quotation you are going to die. Best fit this character because many years later indeed death do comes for Liesel. It then reveals to her that after all these years she had carried The Book Thief, with him for all these years. Character’s significance and development in the novel and she has this changed from beginning to end Liesel Meminger is a major character who have contributed greatly in the novel she plays the main role and can not be undermined she have greatly contributed to the mortality, love, war and the identity themes. The character changes from a simple and stupid girl to a more mature and responsible woman and finally gets married after many years of struggle and gets children. She has greatly helped to portray issues that even as a woman you can succeed in life as long as you have an ambition. WORKS CITED Zusak, Markus. The Book Thief. Pan Macmillan Sydney: Australia. 2008. Read More