The Book Thief

After all the hardships Liesel has faced already, at such young age, trust is something very hard to come by. Out of everyone in Liesel’s life Hans Hubermann was that one person who provided stability and fatherly love in her life. Hans and his wife, Rosa, became Liesel’s foster parents after her mother decided she could not finically provide a stable home for her two children.  Liesel refers to Hans as “Papa” and he treats her like she was his own blood daughter. He comforts her night after night after suffering from endless nightmares of her younger brother who died on the trip to Molching. To keep her mind off the nightmares Hans began reading the grave diggers handbook with Liesel. From this point on it was a nightly tradition late at night to secretly read together. Hans is against the Nazi Party however does not admit it in public so his family can stay protected. One of the biggest conflicts Hans faces is the fact that he decides not to join the Nazi party even though his son is in it. On Hitler’s birthday Hans and his son get into a heated argument over him not joining. I commend Hans because he was fighting for what he believed in with not joining the Nazi party.

Maus

The relationship between Vladik and Artie is not very father-son. I felt as if their relationship was confusing throughout the novel and Artie was just recording and taking in everything about his father’s past as a reporter. In my eyes, the more Vladik tells Artie, the closer they become. Maybe if Artie knew the physical and emotion struggle his father went through for him and his family then he would have a better understanding of why his father is the way he is. I feel as if Vladik’s tormenting past is the main reason he is as protective as he is in the novel. Art deals with a lot of guilt in this novel. He has feelings of guilt over not being a good son, guilt over his mother’s suicide, and after hearing what his parents and relatives went through guilt over the holocaust. We see right from the gecko that Art and his father do not get along well and even though they live pretty close to one another they still do not see each other as much as family should. Even when Vladik is asked to talk about his past and the holocaust Art starts arguments. In my eyes I feel as if Art’s mother’s death is the main reason Art does not come around as much as he should. He is filled with guilt.