Friday, May 14, 2010
In Markus Zusak's The Book Thief, Liesel Meminger and her family hid Max Vandenburg, a young Jewish man trying to escape the concentration camps. During this time, Liesel and Max develop a bond that changes each of them forever. Max, knowing Liesel's love of stories, wrote one for her. Max wrote this note to her before the book:
"Liesel - I almost scribbled this story out. I thought you might be too old for such a tale, but maybe no one is. I thought of you and your books and words, and this strange story came into my head. I hope you find some good in it" (Zusak 444).
Finding "some good in it" is the purpose of all Holocaust literature. From Elie Wiesel to the children of the Terezin concentration camp to Markus Zusak, all writers of the Holocaust never want something like this to happen again; for you, the reader, to learn of intolerance, injustice, and, hopefully, of love.
Now, read Max's story and respond to the question that follows. Be sure to identify yourself before your response.
"Liesel - I almost scribbled this story out. I thought you might be too old for such a tale, but maybe no one is. I thought of you and your books and words, and this strange story came into my head. I hope you find some good in it" (Zusak 444).
Finding "some good in it" is the purpose of all Holocaust literature. From Elie Wiesel to the children of the Terezin concentration camp to Markus Zusak, all writers of the Holocaust never want something like this to happen again; for you, the reader, to learn of intolerance, injustice, and, hopefully, of love.
Now, read Max's story and respond to the question that follows. Be sure to identify yourself before your response.
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