Rudy Steiner: A Hero
Rudy Steiner: A Hero
In The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, the geographical, physical, and cultural surroundings shape psychological and moral traits of the characters throughout the book. Heroes are made and relationships are formed between the characters and the reader. Rudy Steiner, Liesel Meminger’s lemon-sunshined-haired sidekick, has portrayed himself as a hero to the reader through his actions towards Liesel and his friends.
The setting of World War II sets the mood throughout the book. Not only did the Jews get treated unfairly, residents of Germany lived in harsh conditions and were some of the most affected by the war. This background sets a melancholy and somber tone. The book is based on the feeling that the War has created throughout Germany, and the poverty the residents were living with. The situations throughout the book that the characters are put into reflect these harsh times. Rudy has a permanent hunger. This pushes him towards The Apple Gang. “The depressing pea soup and Rudy’s hunger finally drove them to thievery. It inspired their attachment to an older group of kids stole from the farmers. Fruit stealers.” (Zusak 150)
Liesel is an important part of Rudy’s growth as a character. He not only grows throughout the book, but after his death as well. Rudy loves Liesel. He loves her from the moment he meets her until the end of his life. Rudy is not afraid to ask for a kiss, until he rescues Liesel’s book in the Amper River. After wading in the frigid water, Rudy asks for the unusual favor. How could she possibly turn him down? “He stood waist-deep in the water for a few moments longer before climbing out and handing her the book. His pants clung to him, and he did not stop walking. I think he was afraid. Rudy Steiner was scared of the book thief’s kiss. He must have longed for it so much. He must have loved her so incredibly hard. So hard that he would never ask for her lips again and would go to his grave without them.” (Zusak 303) This quote,
In The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, the geographical, physical, and cultural surroundings shape psychological and moral traits of the characters throughout the book. Heroes are made and relationships are formed between the characters and the reader. Rudy Steiner, Liesel Meminger’s lemon-sunshined-haired sidekick, has portrayed himself as a hero to the reader through his actions towards Liesel and his friends.
The setting of World War II sets the mood throughout the book. Not only did the Jews get treated unfairly, residents of Germany lived in harsh conditions and were some of the most affected by the war. This background sets a melancholy and somber tone. The book is based on the feeling that the War has created throughout Germany, and the poverty the residents were living with. The situations throughout the book that the characters are put into reflect these harsh times. Rudy has a permanent hunger. This pushes him towards The Apple Gang. “The depressing pea soup and Rudy’s hunger finally drove them to thievery. It inspired their attachment to an older group of kids stole from the farmers. Fruit stealers.” (Zusak 150)
Liesel is an important part of Rudy’s growth as a character. He not only grows throughout the book, but after his death as well. Rudy loves Liesel. He loves her from the moment he meets her until the end of his life. Rudy is not afraid to ask for a kiss, until he rescues Liesel’s book in the Amper River. After wading in the frigid water, Rudy asks for the unusual favor. How could she possibly turn him down? “He stood waist-deep in the water for a few moments longer before climbing out and handing her the book. His pants clung to him, and he did not stop walking. I think he was afraid. Rudy Steiner was scared of the book thief’s kiss. He must have longed for it so much. He must have loved her so incredibly hard. So hard that he would never ask for her lips again and would go to his grave without them.” (Zusak 303) This quote,
Cited: "Heroism In The Book Thief - The Hero."The Hero. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2014. . "Rudy Steiner." Shmoop. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Jan. 2014. "The Book Thief Summary." Study Guides & Essay Editing. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2014. . Zusak, Markus. The Book Thief. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2006. Print.