PROLOGUE AND PART ONE
Quotations
- "The trouble is, who could ever replace me? Who could step in while I take a break in your stock-standard resort-style vacation destination, whether it be tropical or of the ski trip variety? The answer, of course, is nobody, which has prompted me to make a conscious, deliberate decision--to make distraction my vacation. Needless to say, I vacation in increments. In colors."--Death, Prologue (5)
This quote at the very beginning of the novel makes Death seem very human-like and relatable. It's a good way to introduce a narrator that readers could have problems with connecting to because of what he is.
- "The last stop. The road of yellow stars. It was a place nobody wanted to stay and look at, but almost everyone did. Shaped like a long, broken arm, the road contained several houses with lacerated windows and bruised walls. The Star of David was painted on their doors. Those houses were almost like lepers. At the very least, they were infected sores on the injured German terrain."--Death, Part One (51)
This quote contrasts with the other descriptions in the book about the shabby town of Molching. It is a reminder of the historical context that takes place in the novel. It tells us that we cannot forget that Liesel's smaller story is swallowed by events that would change the world.
- "When it came down to it, one of them called the shots. The other did what he was told. The question is, what if the other is a lot more than one?”--Death, Part One (23)
This quote comes close to the beginning of Part One, right after Liesel’s brother dies on the train. In that scene, it literally refers to two pairs of people: the pair of guards that take Liesel and her mother off the train, and the pair of gravediggers that bury Liesel’s brother’s body. In both instances, one member of the pair gives directions and the other member follows them without question.
This quote at the very beginning of the novel makes Death seem very human-like and relatable. It's a good way to introduce a narrator that readers could have problems with connecting to because of what he is.
- "The last stop. The road of yellow stars. It was a place nobody wanted to stay and look at, but almost everyone did. Shaped like a long, broken arm, the road contained several houses with lacerated windows and bruised walls. The Star of David was painted on their doors. Those houses were almost like lepers. At the very least, they were infected sores on the injured German terrain."--Death, Part One (51)
This quote contrasts with the other descriptions in the book about the shabby town of Molching. It is a reminder of the historical context that takes place in the novel. It tells us that we cannot forget that Liesel's smaller story is swallowed by events that would change the world.
- "When it came down to it, one of them called the shots. The other did what he was told. The question is, what if the other is a lot more than one?”--Death, Part One (23)
This quote comes close to the beginning of Part One, right after Liesel’s brother dies on the train. In that scene, it literally refers to two pairs of people: the pair of guards that take Liesel and her mother off the train, and the pair of gravediggers that bury Liesel’s brother’s body. In both instances, one member of the pair gives directions and the other member follows them without question.
Images
Connections and Historical Context
Click here to read about the philosophy of color.
Watch the video to the right to see the famous race of Jesse Owens' that is so important to Rudy. |
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My Questions
- Who is Liesel's father? She mentions that almost every where she goes her father is brought up and is said to be a communist.
- Why were Liesel and her brother being placed into foster care?
- What was the real reason that Liesel attacked Ludwig?
- Why did Zusak chose Death as his narrator?
- Why were Liesel and her brother being placed into foster care?
- What was the real reason that Liesel attacked Ludwig?
- Why did Zusak chose Death as his narrator?
My Thoughts and Response
So far, I believe that the way Zusak started the novel off was very heart breaking and shocking The narrator, Death, is introduced as any complex character and the way that Death's life is introduced and intertwined in Liesel's life is very interesting.
I am interested to see how Zusak makes Liesel's relationships grow throughout the novel and how if she ever overcomes the broken feeling of losing her brother. I find it interesting that Zusak constantly reminds the readers that this novel takes place during World War II and uses foreshadowing to let the readers know that there is going to be rough times coming up throughout the novel. I also find it interesting that he uses so much personification and it truly adds depth to the characters. I am curious to find out what happens in the rest of the novel.
I am interested to see how Zusak makes Liesel's relationships grow throughout the novel and how if she ever overcomes the broken feeling of losing her brother. I find it interesting that Zusak constantly reminds the readers that this novel takes place during World War II and uses foreshadowing to let the readers know that there is going to be rough times coming up throughout the novel. I also find it interesting that he uses so much personification and it truly adds depth to the characters. I am curious to find out what happens in the rest of the novel.