I still don't know about Liesel, but I found this interesting: On page 145, Death talks about the death of Frau Hermann's son. "There was a young man parceled up in barbed wire, like a giant crown of thorns. I untangled him and carried him out. High above the earth, we sank together to our knees. It was just another day, 1918."
For some reason, this image reminds me of Jesus on the cross, because of the crown of thorns, I guess. If this is a Jesus reference though, it seems that Death takes the place of God in taking Jesus's soul from the cross. Death says that it rose with the soul and then they both sank to their knees, which usually represents admitting defeat. I think since the year 1918 was in WWI, this whole event means to signify that in times of war, there is no God or no hope.
This could be a stretch, but I thought that this part was definitely important somehow, especially because Frau Hermann is so affected by her son's death. -Ali B
If the young man is symbolic for Jesus Christ, wouldn't it mean that in times of war, there is hope, and there is a God? Jesus saved all of his believers by dying on the cross and thereby opening the gates to heaven. Jesus did admit defeat to his betrayer, Judas, and the people who crucified him. But only because he knew better times were ahead. Maybe Death tells us how he took Frau Hermann's son to remind us of Jesus's story, and how even in times of cruelty, there still is hope. -Julia
I just meant because Death took the Jesus figure off the barbed wire and not God. Jesus was resurrected, but Frau Hermann's son took a knee instead, so I thought it was a more somber meaning. -Ali B
Perhaps there is something different about Liesel in Death's eyes. He grows weary of simply recanting stories regarding humanity dying all around him, so to find an interesting girl forced to endure family deaths who has survived the difficult circumstances presented to her intrigues Death. She steals books almost as if it's her job, an act very uncharacteristic of a girl her age, further increasing Death's interest in Liesel.
The picture shows them hand in hand, as Liesel is familiar with Death but has not yet succumbed to it. Death has treated her well by allowing her to live, something she is thankful for despite her brother dying in the beginning of the novel. -Joe
I think Liesel's confidence and courage strikes death as unique and Death continues to follow her journey. Liesel's soul is pure and that is a unique characteristic that I don't think Death sees very often. Gabby
I don't know the answer, but perhaps this is foreshadowing...?
ReplyDeleteI still don't know about Liesel, but I found this interesting:
ReplyDeleteOn page 145, Death talks about the death of Frau Hermann's son. "There was a young man parceled up in barbed wire, like a giant crown of thorns. I untangled him and carried him out. High above the earth, we sank together to our knees. It was just another day, 1918."
For some reason, this image reminds me of Jesus on the cross, because of the crown of thorns, I guess. If this is a Jesus reference though, it seems that Death takes the place of God in taking Jesus's soul from the cross. Death says that it rose with the soul and then they both sank to their knees, which usually represents admitting defeat. I think since the year 1918 was in WWI, this whole event means to signify that in times of war, there is no God or no hope.
This could be a stretch, but I thought that this part was definitely important somehow, especially because Frau Hermann is so affected by her son's death.
-Ali B
If the young man is symbolic for Jesus Christ, wouldn't it mean that in times of war, there is hope, and there is a God? Jesus saved all of his believers by dying on the cross and thereby opening the gates to heaven. Jesus did admit defeat to his betrayer, Judas, and the people who crucified him. But only because he knew better times were ahead. Maybe Death tells us how he took Frau Hermann's son to remind us of Jesus's story, and how even in times of cruelty, there still is hope.
ReplyDelete-Julia
I just meant because Death took the Jesus figure off the barbed wire and not God. Jesus was resurrected, but Frau Hermann's son took a knee instead, so I thought it was a more somber meaning.
Delete-Ali B
Fair enough allie wallie. But its funny how death being interested in Liesel leads to jesus. praise the lord.
Delete-Julia
Perhaps there is something different about Liesel in Death's eyes. He grows weary of simply recanting stories regarding humanity dying all around him, so to find an interesting girl forced to endure family deaths who has survived the difficult circumstances presented to her intrigues Death. She steals books almost as if it's her job, an act very uncharacteristic of a girl her age, further increasing Death's interest in Liesel.
ReplyDeleteThe picture shows them hand in hand, as Liesel is familiar with Death but has not yet succumbed to it. Death has treated her well by allowing her to live, something she is thankful for despite her brother dying in the beginning of the novel.
-Joe
I think Liesel's confidence and courage strikes death as unique and Death continues to follow her journey. Liesel's soul is pure and that is a unique characteristic that I don't think Death sees very often.
ReplyDeleteGabby