LB+Book+Thief

Link back to my home page!! :) Link to Holocaust Homework page! Mrs. Mccarragher - this only just got added to my page because my computer would not allow me to until I figured out a different way just now - it has been on Google Docs since yesterday at 11.



__**Individual Assignment #1**__

Major Characters - So far, the main characters seem to be the narrator (who is Death - kind of a grim reaper, but nicer), Liesel (the book thief), and Liesel's foster parents - Rosa and Hans Hubermann. Liesel is the title character, so of course the story will be entirely about her. Death will also be a large part of the story, as he is narrating, and the foster parents will live with Liesel - they will be a big part of the story, too. Rosa and Hans have a very interesting relationship with Liesel. Rosa is mean, yet kind in her own way. She loves Liesel, and seems to prepare her well for the world beyond. Hans is a very good "Papa" to Liesel. He is very kind, showing her how to roll cigarettes when she won't do anything else, and helping her through her terrible nightmares. Rudy Steiner will also be a main character - he is Liesel's partner in crime, best friend, and (possibly) boyfriend. Rudy likes to tease Liesel a lot, but is also very nice when necessary, and helps Liesel fit in with the other kids in the neighborhood and in school.

Minor Characters and how they effect main characters - Some of the minor characters could include Werner, Liesel's mother, and the foster care lady, Frau Heinrich. Werner and Liesel's mother could be main characters, but they will not be there with Liesel anymore, so I thought they counted as minor. I am sure that Liesel will think of the brother she lost so young very often, and will miss him and her mother. Frau Heinrich brought Liesel to her foster home, and she will probably not be a part of the story any longer, unless there are problems with Liesel and she has to go back. Pfiffikkus is a minor character, too, because he is there every day after school, and he helps make Liesel tougher. Tommy Muller (the terrible soccer player) is a neighborhood child, and his effect is that Liesel has to be goalie in soccer. Frau Diller and Frau Holtzapfel. Frau Diller runs the shop that Liesel, Rudy, and everyone else passes on the way to school, and she makes you say "heil Hitler" when you go inside. Frau Holtzapfel is a mortal enemy of Rosa Hubermann, and gives Liesel an extra job to do every day - cleaning the spit off the door.

Decisions I disagree with - I disagree with Liesel's mother's decision to go through with the adoption of Liesel right after her brother died. I could understand it if her mother couldn't take care of two children all by herself (they were poor). But I would think that she would want to stay with Liesel at such a hard time in both of their lives - after their son/brother died. She might even be able to take care of Liesel better, because she was only one child.

How this story changes my thinking about the Holocaust - This story changes my thinking about the Holocaust because I didn't think that people could still be adopted into others homes legally during this time period. I thought that most people that couldn't stay together as a family were on the Nazi "to kill" list, and had to go into hiding secretly. Liesel is not Jewish, and has no reason to go into hiding, so she doesn't. She just gets adopted like a normal child in a normal time because her mother cannot take care of her. I also thought that many people would be unwilling to take in another mouth to feed during the hard times, but the Hubermanns were willing to take in Liesel (although they were getting some money for it, so that would be an incentive).

Nicely done, Lauren! You have given good support for your ideas and show a good understanding of the novel.