The Book Thief: Part 1 and Prologue Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Who is the narrator?

Death

Who is the Book Thief?

Liesel Meminger

How does the narrator see things?

First he sees colors, and then humans.

What does the narrator say about himself at the very beginning of the Prologue?

That he can be cheerful, agreeable, affable, amiable, but you can't ask him to be nice, because nice has nothing to do with him. Signup and view all the answers

How many times does Death see the Book Thief?

What color does Death see when he sees Liesel steal her first book?

White, the blinding kind Signup and view all the answers

What color does Death see the second time Liesel steals a book?

Black Signup and view all the answers

What color does Death see the third time Liesel steals a book?

Red Signup and view all the answers

What happens the first time she steals a book?

Someone died Signup and view all the answers

What happens the second time she steals a book?

A guy died from a plane crash. A boy and Liesel go to where the plane crashed, and they have a toolbox; they pull a teddy bear out of the toolbox and place it in the plane with the guy who crashed. Signup and view all the answers

What happens the third time she steals a book?

It was the last time that Death saw Liesel. There were bombs, and Himmel Street was destroyed. Signup and view all the answers

Why were Liesel, her brother Wagner, and her mother traveling toward Munich?

Because Liesel's and Wagner's mom got sick often and she did not have the money to go to a doctor, so they were traveling to Munich to hand Liesel and Wagner over to their foster parents. Signup and view all the answers

What happened on the way to Munich?

Wagner died Signup and view all the answers

What do they do with the body?

They bury him 2 days after his death at a cemetery. Signup and view all the answers

What happened at the end of the funeral?

Liesel tried to dig her brother back up just to be sure that he was dead. Her mother had to pull her away, and when she did, Liesel saw a book and she picked it up with no one noticing. Signup and view all the answers

Who was with Liesel and her mother when they got off the train?

2 train guards and Death Signup and view all the answers

What happened when it was time for Liesel to say goodbye to her mother?

Liesel had to be pulled away and there was a lot of crying. Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the street that Liesel was going to live on?

Himmel Street Signup and view all the answers

Who were Liesel's foster parents?

Rosa Hubermann and Hans Hubermann Signup and view all the answers

Who was able to coax Liesel out of the car?

Hans Hubermann Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the book that Liesel stole?

The Grave Digger's Handbook Signup and view all the answers

What is the only bit of information that Liesel knows about her father?

That he was a communist Signup and view all the answers

What did Rosa call Liesel all the time? What does it mean and what is the word for male?

Both A and B. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Liesel like Hans better than Rosa?

Because Hans is like a father to Liesel and he is kind to her, whereas Rosa is abusive towards her. Signup and view all the answers

What does Hans teach Liesel to do when she first gets there?

How to roll a cigarette Signup and view all the answers

What does Rosa make Liesel call her and Hans?

Mama and Papa Signup and view all the answers

How were Liesel's first few months hard for her?

Because she had nightmares every night about her brother's face, and when she'd wake up, she'd see the bed that was meant for her brother floating like a boat in the darkness. Signup and view all the answers

What was the only good thing that came from the nightmares?

Hans would always be there with her when she would wake up from the nightmare, and he would stay with her till morning. Signup and view all the answers

What would some of the mornings be like?

Liesel would wake up and kiss Hans on the cheek, and other mornings Hans would tell Liesel to get back in bed and he would go and get his accordion to play for her. Signup and view all the answers

What was the importance of the Grave Digger's Handbook?

She had it when she last saw her brother and mother. Signup and view all the answers

Why was school difficult for Liesel?

School was difficult for Liesel because she could not read or write and there was a Catholic influence. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Narration and Perspective

The narrator of the story is Death, offering a unique viewpoint on human life and mortality.
Death perceives colors before recognizing human forms, reflecting his distinct experience of the world.

Main Characters

Liesel Meminger, known as the Book Thief, is the central character whose journey unfolds throughout the narrative.
Rosa and Hans Hubermann become Liesel’s foster parents when she arrives in Himmel Street.

Key Events

Liesel experiences the death of her brother, Wagner, while traveling towards Munich, marking a traumatic turn in her life.
After Wagner's funeral, Liesel attempts to dig him up, revealing her intense grief, and discovers a book during the incident.

Important Locations

Himmel Street is the new home for Liesel, serving as a significant backdrop for her development and the unfolding of her story.

Symbolism of Colors

The first book Liesel steals is associated with the color white, indicative of innocence and death.
The second book theft is marked by the color black, linked to tragedy and loss from a plane crash.
The third book theft is represented by the color red, foreshadowing destruction from bombs.

Emotional Themes

Liesel's initial months are plagued by nightmares, conjuring the face of her deceased brother.
Despite trauma, Hans provides comfort during her dark moments, establishing a bond that alleviates her distress.

Learning Challenges

Liesel finds schooling challenging due to her inability to read or write, compounded by the Catholic environment at her new school.
Hans teaches her practical skills, such as rolling cigarettes, helping her adjust to her new life.

Significant Objects

The Grave Diggers Handbook serves as a poignant symbol; it connects Liesel to her brother and mother and represents her struggles and memories of loss.
Liesel's relationship with words begins with this book, despite her difficulties with literacy.

Relationships

Liesel feels a strong bond with Hans, appreciating his kindness in sharp contrast to Rosa's harsh demeanor.
Rosa's use of the insult "Saumensch" towards Liesel emphasizes the strained nature of their relationship.

Conclusion of Part 1

The narrative captures Liesel's initial journey filled with loss, uncertainty, and the beginnings of her love for books, setting the stage for her development throughout the story.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the first part and prologue of 'The Book Thief'. This quiz covers key characters, the unique perspective of the narrator, and essential themes introduced in the text. Refresh your memory and deepen your understanding of this compelling story.