The friendship that develops between Liesel and Max is touching, heart-wrenching, and extremely powerful. Perhaps the reason that these two characters gravitate towards each other is because of their incredible similarities. Lets discuss how Liesel and Max's experiences are really not all that different.
Julia
Both Liesel and Max have lost or been separated from their families as a result of the war. Liesel has lost her mother and brother, and Max doesn't even know the whereabouts of the family he left behind. For both characters, this loss haunts them like a plague. But I believe that this is why they were able to develop such a special relationship. Because they had both lost the ones they loved, it made them need to love again that much more.
ReplyDeleteJulia
I think that their connection with words also helped to bring them closer together. They often spent time in the basement writing or reading together, and Max's book "The Word Shaker" shows the connection that they had- the seed from Max that Liesel planted. They both understood that the Fuhrer's words were the cause of all of their problems, and therefore they both abhorred the Fuhrer, giving them something to fight against together.
ReplyDeleteAli B
In a way, Liesel and Max give each other purpose. Max needs Liesel to brighten his life with stories from the outside world and to bring him the energy of youth. Liesel benefits from Max because she learns a lot about suffering and he is someone with whom she identifies. They both rely on each other for comfort, friendship, and trust as well.
ReplyDeleteAli B
Exactly. Although Nazi Germany was horrifying, one good thing came out of it- Max and Liesal's friendship. Liesel and Max found themselves living together because of terrible events that have occurred to their families. They were both lucky to find another with similar problems. Therefore, they were able to talk about the terrible nightmares they both had and give each other advice.
ReplyDelete- Becca M
We see this illustrated in the books that Max makes and gives to Liesel: The Standover Man and The Word Shaker, both of which involve their friendship and the world that they are growing up in.
ReplyDeleteJoe
beautiful
ReplyDeletewild
ReplyDeleteThey both also enjoy books. Another reason is the fact that they share the nightmares.
ReplyDelete