Identity plays a large role in this novel. To stay alive, the Jews had to stay hidden. In addition, they suffered from starvation and physical abuse. How does Max's identity change during the Holocaust?
For all of his life Max has been a fighter. Combating capture by the Gestapo and starving to death for years is certainly quite the challenge. However, as he meets Liesel and the novel progresses, I find that his fighting spirit has softened and takes on the form of a more artistic outlet. He portrays his life story to Liesel in the form of a picture book, and even in his fantasy about fighting Hitler he causes himself to lose. Maybe the compassion from Hans has brought about this transition, or the friendship Liesel formed with him. -Joe
Or maybe the softer side of Max is meant to be viewed in a negative light. Yes, transforming from a fighter into a soft, sensitive and artistic man may be viewed as a positive. But in Max's case, it isn't who he is. He is a fighter, and the Holocaust has taken out the fight in him. -Julia
On page 250, Death describes the time Max spent alone in his basement as follows: "The minutes were cruel. Hours punishing." Time is personified as a malicious force that is, "wringing him out." Because of this, Death recalls how Max, or the person he once was, begins to disappear. Max is now associated with the color grey as well, which is normally gloomy and dismal. Here, readers see how Max has gone from a strong-willed fighter, to a man in a basement, with no purpose. It is almost as if Max has become a ghost of the man he once was. -Julia
I agree with Julia. Max is like the typical Holocaust sufferer- you can only handle so much deprivation and depression until it changes you. It is like something I learned in psych- learned helplessness. After experiencing an event in which you cannot avoid suffering so many times, you learn that there is nothing you can do to help yourself, and you become quite pathetic. Max's fighting side may soften because of this. However, I don't think all of his fight is gone yet because he begins to work out to gain strength. Ali B
For all of his life Max has been a fighter. Combating capture by the Gestapo and starving to death for years is certainly quite the challenge. However, as he meets Liesel and the novel progresses, I find that his fighting spirit has softened and takes on the form of a more artistic outlet. He portrays his life story to Liesel in the form of a picture book, and even in his fantasy about fighting Hitler he causes himself to lose. Maybe the compassion from Hans has brought about this transition, or the friendship Liesel formed with him.
ReplyDelete-Joe
Or maybe the softer side of Max is meant to be viewed in a negative light. Yes, transforming from a fighter into a soft, sensitive and artistic man may be viewed as a positive. But in Max's case, it isn't who he is. He is a fighter, and the Holocaust has taken out the fight in him.
Delete-Julia
On page 250, Death describes the time Max spent alone in his basement as follows: "The minutes were cruel. Hours punishing." Time is personified as a malicious force that is, "wringing him out." Because of this, Death recalls how Max, or the person he once was, begins to disappear. Max is now associated with the color grey as well, which is normally gloomy and dismal. Here, readers see how Max has gone from a strong-willed fighter, to a man in a basement, with no purpose. It is almost as if Max has become a ghost of the man he once was.
ReplyDelete-Julia
I agree with Julia. Max is like the typical Holocaust sufferer- you can only handle so much deprivation and depression until it changes you. It is like something I learned in psych- learned helplessness. After experiencing an event in which you cannot avoid suffering so many times, you learn that there is nothing you can do to help yourself, and you become quite pathetic. Max's fighting side may soften because of this.
DeleteHowever, I don't think all of his fight is gone yet because he begins to work out to gain strength.
Ali B
I agree that Max's softer side can be viewed in a negative way because it makes no
DeleteI'm vulnerable to the evils of the time period