![]() The reality of World War ||. What people had to do to stay alive, not be known as a Jewish lover, and to keep their children safe. During that time, families had to deal with many terrifying and sad situations. Loved ones, usually the men of the family, had to leave and fight in the war. Some volunteered and some were forced to serve their country. In The Book Thief, it gives readers a historical understanding of what happened during that time and how individuals were affected. Hans, Liesel foster father, volunteered for war after he got caught giving a piece of bread to the Jewish man; he chose to go because he had to protect his family from the Nazi party. “Don’t go, Papa. Just don’t go. Let them come for you if you stay. But don’t go, please don’t go.” (Zusak 287). Liesel and Rosa were extremely upset and scared that he might lose his life on the battlefield. Also, Rudy's father got called to war because it was his punishment for not allowing his son to join the Hitler Youth advanced program. War affects an individual mentally, emotionally, and physically. People witness many things on the battlefield that they are not prepared for and frankly could never be prepared for. In the novel the author gives examples of situations that Hans saw, such as, when he came across a man suffering and as Hubermann tried to pull him off the field, the man passed away in the loving father’s arms. Michael, a character who returned from the war, witnessed his brother's death. “A SMALL WAR STORY His legs were blown off at the shins and he died with his brother watching in a cold, stench-filled hospital.” (Zusak 319). Michael was traumatized and was injured due to when he was shot in the ribs. He survived but when he was sent home, everything that happened affected him mentally. The soldier ended up committing suicide and during that time, it occurred frequently. This video is the last scene of the movie where the bomb alarms did not go off on time to warn the citizens. While everyone was sleeping, air raids came and killed most people, expect Liesel. Sadly, when World War || occurred, citizens experienced frequent air raids and bombing in their hometowns, where they had to go find a safe shelter if their home wasn't safe enough. People were not only dealing with war on the battlefield and air raids but the Jewish community had to find safe shelter and hide from the Nazi party. Some had to leave their families like Max Vandenburg did. The ones who got caught suffered the most; they would not get fed, had to march down the streets, worked in the camps, got cruel punishment if they did not listen to the Nazi party, and eventually got killed. “While most of the camps were spread throughout Europe, there were some still in existence in Germany itself. In those camps, many people were still made to work, and walk.” (Zusak 340). It is extremely depressing having known this happened in the past and what people had to go through, especially the Jewish community. Work Cited Bing, Microsoft, www.bing.com/videos/search?q=the+book+theif+the+ending+scene+video.
“Emotional Effects of War on Soldiers.” Psychologenie, 20 Aug. 2008, psychologenie.com/emotional-effects-of-war-on-soldiers. History.com Editors. “World War II.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 29 Oct. 2009, www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/world-war-ii-history. Zusak, Marcus. " The Book Thief." Westernhs, westernhs.bcps.org/UsersFiles/Server_4204286/Image/Grade9GT-- TheBookThiefMarcusZusak.pdf.
2 Comments
Nicholas Vertentes
7/27/2020 10:06:39 pm
I also read this novel for my CPT and choose to analyze it from a postcolonial perspective. I agree that World War 2 and the Holocaust were tragic events. Many people died and lost their beloved families; it was a time of great sorrow. I also sympathize with the Jewish community during this time; the way they were treated was disgusting. I just hope that history doesn't repeat itself in a similar way. Your writing is very clear and reinforced my postcolonial insight within this novel, great job!
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Obinna Akaleme
7/28/2020 06:06:33 am
By looking at it historically, you were able to highlight just how awful the events of World War II were, and how people got punished even for doing what is right. Great post!
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