PART FOUR
QUOTATIONS
"It probably had more to do with the hurled bombs, thrown down by humans
hiding in the clouds." World War 2 is on the rise.
"I'm so selfish" -Max Vandenburg. This a simple quote by Max but shows he feels down about himself, and guiltly. Along with sadness and guilt, he regrets leaving his family behind. He knows how hard and risky this is for him to hide out with Hans, Liesel, and Rose.
"If we gamble on a Jew, I would prefer to gamble on a live one." Hans is saying, he wants Max to stay alive and he will do anything to let that happen.
hiding in the clouds." World War 2 is on the rise.
"I'm so selfish" -Max Vandenburg. This a simple quote by Max but shows he feels down about himself, and guiltly. Along with sadness and guilt, he regrets leaving his family behind. He knows how hard and risky this is for him to hide out with Hans, Liesel, and Rose.
"If we gamble on a Jew, I would prefer to gamble on a live one." Hans is saying, he wants Max to stay alive and he will do anything to let that happen.
IMAGES AND EXPLANATIONS
Mein Kampf (translated as My Struggle) is an autobigraphical manifesto published by Hitler in two parts in 1925 and 1926. Both parts published together in 1930 with addtional editing. On Hitler's birthday in 1940, Hans, after criticizing Lisel's books, rants that Liesel should be reading Mein Kampf. The book also serves as an inconspicuous way to transport Max a house key to the Hubermann home, and to act as a prop to divert suspicion while Max traveled. The Word Shaker and The Standover Man were both written on painted over pages from Max's copy of Mein Kampf.
The standover man represents all the things hanging over Max: having to hide, being a burden to Liesel's family, Hitler, the government, the loss of his family, etc.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
QUESTIONS
Why does Max feel guilty?
How does Max answer Liesel's question whether Mein Kampf is a good
book?
Is Max beginning to take Hans' place as Liesel's "standover man." How are her
12th birthday gifts from Hans and Max similar?
How does Hans convince Liesel of the need for the secret about about Max?
How does Max answer Liesel's question whether Mein Kampf is a good
book?
Is Max beginning to take Hans' place as Liesel's "standover man." How are her
12th birthday gifts from Hans and Max similar?
How does Hans convince Liesel of the need for the secret about about Max?
MY RESPONSE
There is a section in this part of the novel where Max's childhood is observed. He explains how Max loved fighting as a kid and as a teenager. In 1935, Max lost his job for being a Jew. Max hides in a storeroom for the next two years, and Walter usually gives him food; then one day Walter tells Max that Max's family is gone. In 1939, Walter vists Hans, who then does agree to keep his promise and help Max. Hans gives Walter some money, maps, directions, and a copy of Mein Kampf with a key, and in 1940 Max makes the dangerous journey to Molching.
Along with this, Max has nightmares. He has them at night often waking up Hans and Liesel. Liesel explains to Max that she in fact has nightmares too. Max realizes he was not completely alone and can relate to someone.
Along with this, Max has nightmares. He has them at night often waking up Hans and Liesel. Liesel explains to Max that she in fact has nightmares too. Max realizes he was not completely alone and can relate to someone.