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Themes in 'The Book Thief' (Law and punishment is an important…
Themes in 'The Book Thief'
One of the main themes of the movie is War. This theme is very obvious and has a lot of evidence because the movie is set in the heart of Nazi occupied Germany.
Friendship is a main theme in the movie. This theme is largely recognized throughout the plot. You can see friendship between Liesle and Rudi, Liesle and Max, Max and Hans etc. An example being when Rudi jumped into the river to retrieve Leslie's notebook.
Another theme shown in the movie would be industrial. In the movie the setting is very grey, harsh and industrial. There is a lot of smoke, smog and industrial old things.
Separation is a theme in the movie because Liesel was separated away from her first family, then later on her foster family.
Law and punishment is an important theme because when Liesel broke the law, she risked being severely punished.
An example of this was when Rosa and Hans didn't have the Nazi flag hanging from their home. This was a law in Germany to show you were fighting with the Nazi's but you were punished if you were against them
Learning is a big theme in this movie because Liesel not only learns academically how to read and write, she also learns lessons of life e.g. the importance of friendship.
Sacrifice is a main theme shown in the movie. We see this when Liesel's Mother sends her children away in spite of her love for them, and again when Max's Mother sacrifices her life for her son.
One of the main themes is love. Liesel and Rudi had a love-hate relationship where he keeps on trying to get a kiss from Liesel. Liesel also finds love in her family that had adopted her.
Love is a major theme because feelings of love and compassion affect peoples' decisions and reputations. For example, because Max cared for Liesel and her adoptive family, he leaves his relative safety to guarantee theirs.
Family is a big theme shown in this film. Though Liesel loses her blood family, she embraces those around her who want to learn to love her. Max, Rudi, Rosa and Hans become her new, loving family, though they are not related by blood.
Hope was a clear theme seen throughout the movie. It was recognized when Liesle had to say goodbye to Max. She had to stay hopeful that Max would one day return to be a 'family' to Liesle.
Protection is a recurring theme. We see this in different forms, such as when Rudi protects Liesel's secret from the bully, and when Max's Mother protects her son's life by giving up her own.
Persistance and resilience are shown often. At the start of the movie, though Liesel is being difficult and suppressing her feelings, Hans persists and comes to love her. When Hans is conscripted, both he and his family carry on with their lives.
Imagination and love of language are themes demonstrated in this movie. Liesel relies on her imagination to get her through a night of bombing. Max and Hans both teach her to love and learn from language, Hans encouraging her to read, and Max encouraging her to write.
The importance of literacy is a big theme because it is the love and yearning for literacy that provokes Liesel to steal (or rather borrow) books, giving the movie its name.
discrimination is acknowledged in the movie as one of the larger themes because the movie is based around the beliefs and religion of the German people and how some of them don't agree with others views. This can be seen when Jews are being forced to march down the streets with the star of David attached to to their clothing, all the while being abused by Nazi officers who are leading them through the village.
Hatred is a reoccurring theme that is seen throughout the movie. An example of this being when they had the bonfire of books. This was out of pure hatred for learning and children expanding their minds because of literacy.
Guilt is also a theme in this film. Liesel feels guilty for not telling Rudi about Max. Max feels guilty for endangering his Mother, and then Liesel's family.
Grief and loss is a key theme because the characters all lose so much, be it their own life, or the life of someone they love. E.g. Liesel loses her Mother, brother, foster parents and friends.