Words

            As is evident from the title, language is very important in this book. Throughout the story we are shown how the power of language can be used positively and negatively. Nazi Germany was built on words. Hitler slowly persuaded people that he was right and that the Jews were to blame for their problems. People who’d been fine with Jewish people ten years earlier found themselves saluting the man who was systematically murdering them. In Max’s book, The Word Shaker, he says, “the Führer had decided that he would rule the world with words” (Zusak 445). He didn’t need anything except persuasive words and insidious ideas to control the minds of free-thinkers. Soon he had the whole country committing acts of hatred and murder simply by telling them things. This shows the true power of words by showing that they can make terrible things happen. On the other hand, Liesel loves words. Reading is what she loved; she was proud of it because she had to struggle to acquire it. She has an appreciation of literature because books are so hard to come by, and when she first sees a library it takes her breath away. She is not only aware of the way words can be used for evil, but their positive power as well. Reword. She has tamed an entire room of hysterical people and calmed their gripping fear simply by reading aloud. Books have brought her comfort and triumph. They are also a symbol of free-thinking−the Germans were burning books that the Nazis didn’t like for reasons such as the main character being Jewish. This censorship truly shows the power of literature because one of the most powerful regimes in the world was afraid to let books get in their people’s hands. Words have the power to change people’s minds. They also have incredible power to show love. One of the books she cherished the most was The Standover Man, given to her by Max. It was a simple book but it was hand-painted and a gesture of thanks and caring. Words can tell simple stories that speak volumes on their own. Overall, words having power is a very important subject in The Book Thief.