The Book Thief: Week of 1/13/14

*Slight Spoilers*

Pages Read: 196-451

     "On many counts, taking a boy like Rudy was robbery -- so much life, so much to live for -- yet somehow, I'm certain he would have loved to see the frightening rubble and the swelling of the sky on the night he passed away. He'd have cried and turned and smile if only he could have seen the book thief on her hands and knees, next to his decimated body. He'd have been glad to witness her kissing his dusty, bomb-hit lips. 

     Yes, I know it.

     In the darkness of my dark-beating heart, I know. He'd have loved it, all right. 

     You see? 

     Even death has a heart.

Page 242 of The Book Thief, Death spoils the fact that Rudy's death going to home, and exactly how he dies. The moment I read this page, my heart was split in two. Rudy Steiner has been favorite character throughout the story so far, and knowing his death is to come keeps me so anxious, I am at the point of bursting in to tears. I also feel that part of the passage reigns a certain truth. So, many people this day leave to early. You often hear on the news of how a child was bullied and they committed suicide or you hear of others self-harming, yet nobody truly realizes that everybody has so much to live for. We also feel that sometimes life is a game we are forced to play, thinking about I understand their points. The entire point of being human and caring for others is a bit evil, learning to love somebody or many people to have that all ripped away from you at any moment for an array of reasons. In my opinion, that's the point of being human, being able to learn and moven on, not put walls up around us and not let anyone in. I feel this way for two reasons, one being a very important quote I have heard by Bob Marley, "You never know how strong you are, until being strong is your only choice." Not only this quote but, "As much as being broken up hurts, being alone is way worse." Ever since reading the page I have the need to tell everyone in the world that maybe life is a terrible, yet lovely game, but games are always best played with those you care about, that seizing the greatest moments and appreciating the little ones are the best parts of the game. Most of all never take for granted anything that you do or do not have.

1) The A Team by Ed Sheeran

"Slowly sinking, wasting

Crumbling like pastries

And they scream

The worst things in life come free to us

Cause we're just under the upper hand"

"Ripped gloves, raincoat

Tried to swim and stay afloat

Dry house, wet clothes

Loose change, bank notes

Weary-eyed, dry throat

Call girl, no phone"

"It's too cold outside

For angels to fly

An angel will die

Covered in white

Closed eye

And hoping for a better life

This time, we'll fade out tonight

Straight down the line"

I feel that these parts of the song perfectly explain what it would have been like to live in Germany as a Jew. Throughout the story when encountered with the story of Max Vanderburg, we realize the struggles he has gone through. The first part that it quoted in my mind, helps emphasize the fact that death is narrating the story.

2) Paradise by Coldplay

"When she was just a girl

She expected the world

But it flew away from her reach

So she ran away in her sleep

Dreamed of para- para- paradise

Para- para- paradise

Para- para- paradise

Every time she closed her eyes

Whoa-oh-oh oh-oooh oh-oh-oh

When she was just a girl

She expected the world

But it flew away from her reach

And the bullets catch in her teeth

Life goes on

It gets so heavy

The wheel breaks the butterfly

Every tear, a waterfall

In the night, the stormy night

She closed her eyes

In the night, the stormy night

Away she'd fly."

I chose Paradise by Coldplay because like dreams are to the girl of the song books are to Liesel. Liesel, in a way finds a safe haven in books, she sometimes can't find in other places.

3) Yesterday by The Beatles

"Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away

Now it looks as though they're here to stay

Oh, I believe in yesterday

Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be

There's a shadow hanging over me.

Oh, yesterday came suddenly

Why she had to go I don't know she wouldn't say

I said something wrong, now I long for yesterday

Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play

Now I need a place to hide away

Oh, I believe in yesterday

Why she had to go I don't know she wouldn't say

I said something wrong, now I long for yesterday

Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play

Now I need a place to hide away

Oh, I believe in yesterday"

Although the song seems a bit unfitting, I feel that the song helps a person somewhat explain Liesel's feelings through parts of the book. Starting in the beginning, where her entire life changes because her brother dies and she is being sent to live with foster parents.

4) Terrible Things by Mayday Parade

"By the time I was your age I'd give anything 

To fall in love truly was all I could think, 

That's when I met your mother, 

The girl of my dreams, 

The most beautiful woman that I'd ever seen. 

She said "Boy, can I tell you a wonderful thing? 

I can't help but notice you staring at me, 

I know I shouldn't say this, but I really believe, 

I can tell by your eyes that you're in love with me." 

Now son, I'm only telling you this because 

Life can do terrible things. 

Now most of the time we'd have too much to drink 

And we'd laugh at the stars and share everything. 

Too young to notice and too dumb to care, 

Love was a story that couldn't compare. 

I said "Girl, can I tell you a wonderful thing? 

I made you a present with paper and string, 

Open with care now, I'm asking you please, 

You know that I love you, 

Will you marry me?" 

Now son I'm only telling you this because 

Life can do terrible things. 

You'll learn one day, and I hope and I pray 

That God shows you differently. 

She said "Boy, can I tell you a terrible thing? 

It seems that I'm sick and I've only got weeks. 

Please don't be sad now, I really believe, 

You were the greatest thing that ever happened to me." 

Slow, so slow, I fell to the ground on my knees. 

So don't fall in love there's just too much to lose. 

If you're given the choice, 

I'm begging you choose to walk away, walk away, 

Don't let it get you. 

I can't bare to see the same happen to you. 

Now son, I'm only telling you this, 

Because life can do terrible things."

You may be thinking, what does this song have to do with anything? Well, I thought that this helped explain my feelings from the first paragraph above, that life can be a terrible and wonderful thing. The only thing we have left to do is enjoy it with those we love because even though we have so much to live for it can disappear in any moment, and life is ephemeral.

5) What Hurts The Most by Rascal Flatts

"I can take the rain on the roof of this empty house

That don’t bother me

I can take a few tears now and then and just let them out

I’m not afraid to cry every once in a while

Even though going on with you gone still upsets me

There are days every now and again I pretend I’m OK

But that’s not what gets me

What hurts the most

Was being so close

And having so much to say

And watching you walk away

And never knowing

What could have been

And not seeing that loving you

Is what I was tryin’ to do"

This in my opinion would show the emotions of Liesel when Max leaves. He departure to Liesel, was unexpected and very surprising. At first their relationship had been a bit rocky due to their situation but, they managed to work together, and by the end she looked at him like a brother. Although I feel that she tries not to show her Mama and Papa how much his absence hurts her, she still yearns to see him again.

Although my life situation and Liesel are completely different I feel that in a way I understand her. When Max left she was scared that he might be caught and sent to concentration camp, above this she dearly misses him. I remember, when I was in third grade, my mother had gotten sick. Her sickness had caused her to require surgery, the procedure was supposed to be simple. Being a third grader I did not understand and was scared out of my wits to what would happen to my mother. My mother had called my grandparents in Mexico so they could hopefully come to the US and help my mom with my siblings and I. I was happy that they were to come but not under the situation. I remember it being around five in the morning when my mom had to wake up to go to the hospital she had gone to my bedroom to say goodbye, she didn't know but I was awake at the time, after I heard her leave and close the door, I cried. The fear and frustration I was feeling during the time had been so much I never wanted to live again, ever. That day, few hours later I was at school, all day I had been distracted, thinking about my mother, hoping I would see her again. For some reason I felt that something would go horribly wrong and I wouldn't know what to do if I did, luckily I was wrong and was able to see my mother in the hospital after the school day.

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