What does the basement symbolize in the book thief?

The basements in The Book Thief symbolize hiding and protection from the outer world. But they also represent the constant danger of being killed because the Hubermann’s are committing an illegal crime by hiding Max a Jew in their basement.

What was Liesel doing in the basement?

Liesel and Rudy are playing soccer when they come, and Liesel realizes she must warn Rosa, Hans, and Max, since Max lives in their basement. She intentionally gets injured in the game and cries for Hans.

What do the Hubermanns Liesel and Max do in the basement?

When Max arrives at the Hubermanns’, Rosa feeds him soup and puts him to bed in Liesel’s room. The next day, Hans takes Liesel to the basement and explains his connection to Max and reminds her of her promise to keep a secret. At the end of the week, Max gives Liesel her birthday present.

What did Rosa teach Liesel?

He teaches Liesel to read. Rosa Hubermann is Liesel’s foster mother. She washes and irons clothing for the wealthy people of Molching.

What does Max write his story on?

Because resources were scarce and Max only had his copy of Mein Kampf to use as paper, Max painted over each page to have a blank canvas to write his story. In case you don’t know, Mein Kampf is Hitler’s autobiography and plans for Germany.

Why were they checking the basements?

The Book Thief It is May 1942. The NSDAP are inspecting the basements of Molching homes to see if they are suitable to serve as air-raid shelters. They move up and down Himmel Street while Liesel is outside playing soccer, and Liesel knows she must warn Rosa and Hans about the inspections.

Did Rudy ever get a kiss from Liesel?

At the conclusion of the novel, Liesel Meminger gives her friend Rudy Steiner, lying dead in the rubble of Himmel Street, what he never received from her in life – a kiss. During their three years of coming of age in Nazi Germany, Rudy’s unrequited kiss represents sexuality repressed.

Why does Max leave the Hubermanns home?

Max leaves the Hubermanns’ house in part 7 of The Book Thief in a chapter called ”Peace”. He leaves after Hans Hubermann is punished for offering…

What does the mayor’s wife give Liesel How does Liesel respond?

The next time Liesel visits the mayor’s wife, Frau Hermann, she gives Liesel a letter for Rosa, informing her they can no longer afford to send out their washing. Frau Hermann also gives Liesel The Whistler and says she is still welcome to come and read in the library.

What was Max’s message for Liesel?

At the end of the section, Max gives Liesel what is probably the greatest gift he could give her: a book. To Liesel, it’s perhaps the most valuable present she’s ever received. A prominent theme in this section is the duality of Nazi-era Germany, and it’s dramatized through Max and his copy of MKPF.