He buried his face between them and thanked him.” (pg. 394, Zusak) In correspondence, Max had the notion that “Living was living. The price was guilt and shame.” (pg.208, Zusak), signifying his belief that by abandoning his family, he was indeed alive, but only at the sacrifice of the ones he cared about. Max is haunted by the fact that, “when he was pushed out by the rest of the family, the relief struggled inside of him like an obscenity. It was something he didn’t want to feel, but nonetheless, he felt it with such gusto it made him want to throw up” (pg. 193, Zusak). So he carries his burden, his shame, along with him. Both Hans and Max must live their lives knowing what their choices have resulted, but their actions differ. Hans pushes on living by giving back to others who desperately need it, feeling that being kind will help alleviate some of the sadness and weight he carries, whereas Max’s yearning to survive helps him to prevail, even with the odds against him, although unlike Hans, he lives bitterly and with deep resentment towards
He buried his face between them and thanked him.” (pg. 394, Zusak) In correspondence, Max had the notion that “Living was living. The price was guilt and shame.” (pg.208, Zusak), signifying his belief that by abandoning his family, he was indeed alive, but only at the sacrifice of the ones he cared about. Max is haunted by the fact that, “when he was pushed out by the rest of the family, the relief struggled inside of him like an obscenity. It was something he didn’t want to feel, but nonetheless, he felt it with such gusto it made him want to throw up” (pg. 193, Zusak). So he carries his burden, his shame, along with him. Both Hans and Max must live their lives knowing what their choices have resulted, but their actions differ. Hans pushes on living by giving back to others who desperately need it, feeling that being kind will help alleviate some of the sadness and weight he carries, whereas Max’s yearning to survive helps him to prevail, even with the odds against him, although unlike Hans, he lives bitterly and with deep resentment towards