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?
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How many times does Death see the Book Thief?
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What color does Death see when he sees Liesel steal her first book?
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What color does Death see the second time Liesel steals a book?
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What color does Death see the third time Liesel steals a book?
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What happens the first time she steals a book?
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What happens the second time she steals a book?
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What happens the third time she steals a book?
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Why were Liesel, her brother Wagner, and her mother traveling toward Munich?
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What happened on the way to Munich?
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What do they do with the body?
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What happened at the end of the funeral?
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Who was with Liesel and her mother when they got off the train?
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What happened when it was time for Liesel to say goodbye to her mother?
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What was the name of the street that Liesel was going to live on?
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Who were Liesel's foster parents?
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Who was able to coax Liesel out of the car?
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What was the name of the book that Liesel stole?
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What is the only bit of information that Liesel knows about her father?
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What did Rosa call Liesel all the time? What does it mean and what is the word for male?
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Why does Liesel like Hans better than Rosa?
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What does Hans teach Liesel to do when she first gets there?
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What does Rosa make Liesel call her and Hans?
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How were Liesel's first few months hard for her?
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What was the only good thing that came from the nightmares?
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What would some of the mornings be like?
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What was the importance of the Grave Digger's Handbook?
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Why was school difficult for Liesel?
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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.