Studied by 204 people
Two German-speaking guards are introduced at the beginning of the book. How does the author make the readers dislike them?
Their angry responses and demeanors
Write down two examples of personification from the Prologue.
Smoke was leaking from both its lungs
Trees wore blankets of ice
When and where is Liesel when the story begins? Be specific about geography and dates. What will begin in September of this year?
Liesel was on a train, travelling towards Munich in January 1939. WWII began in September 1939.
Look at the first few pages of chapter two, ending with the words “...with more foreign people. Alone.” The narrator uses two plot techniques in these paragraphs. What are they?
flashback and foreshadow
List three of the Hubermanns’ neighbors and Rosa’s opinions of them.
Rosa literally just hates all her neighbors (“they’re all guilty of something")
Read the paragraph beginning with the following words: “Once they’d watched the soldiers disappear…” Which device is used predominantly in this paragraph? Write down one example.
Imagery. The church aimed itself at the sky, its rooftop a study of collaborated tiles.
Why is Rudy’s father, Alex, conflicted about Jewish people?
He is a member of the Nazi party, but he doesn't hate the Jews; nevertheless, he is susceptible to propaganda that tells him Jewish tailers will come in like a "plague" and steal his business. He believes, on the other hand, that Jews shouldn't be driven out, yet he is most concerned with providing for his own family.
Use three words to describe Hans when he discovers that Liesel has wet the bed and is hiding a book.
calm, cool, collective
Imagery is not always figurative, but it can be. Read the paragraph beginning with the following words: “Sitting in the water…” What sense is being referred to in this paragraph, and how is the language figurative?
smell. Friendship cannot be smelled
How does the author use weather to change the mood at the end of Part 1?
As the clouds assemble and the rain pours, the mood darkens. This parallels Liesel's building emotions and release of tears.
What does Liesel see on one of the rooftops at dawn on the morning she and Papa finish their book?
A small boy, sitting, looking at the sky
How are the neighbors described in this chapter when compared to the descriptions earlier in the book? What does this tell you about Liesel?
The descriptions are overall nicer, as they treated Liesel better.
How does the location and condition of different characters’ flags tell us something about their support of the Nazi Party?
Frau Diller's flag looked like a "jewel," in her polished window. In other people's windows, the flags "trundled from the ledge like the washing hung out to dry." Hans and Rosa's flag was lost, buried "behind the accordion in the cupboard." This symbolizes their lack of support for the party, in contrast to people like Frau Diller.
Read the paragraph beginning with these words: “The thought of missing it was eased…” What is the author comparing the books to?
an unpopular child
What does the heat of the book symbolize as it rests against Liesel’s chest?
It could represent guilt, fear, anticipation, or anxiety.
What are the Nazi party members’ reactions to Hans purchasing a copy of Mein Kampf?
Indifferent + Mocking, they believe he will never be apart of the Nazi party
The ‘featuring’ section at the beginning of Part Three doesn’t mention “The Mayor’s Library,” which is the title of the second chapter in Part Three. Instead, it mentions “a broken woman.” What from this chapter indicates that the mayor’s wife is a “broken” woman?
Her son had died (drowning I think?) This caused her to spiral and reserve herself, breaking down in a spiral of loneliness and guilt
What plot device is used in the chapter titled “Enter the Struggler”? Explain.
The author uses parallel plots. Liesel's story and Max's story are occurring simultaneously, but they will eventually merge into one story.
What is ironic about the title of the book that Max reads?
Mein Kampf = My Struggle, Max is a Jew in Nazi Germany, he struggling ALOTTT because of Hitler, who wrote Mein Kampf.
Could also be interpreted as “Hitler Created Mein Kampf (My Struggle) and Hitler created Max’s Struggle
The author uses some Biblical symbols in this chapter [Garden of Eden story]. What similarities did you notice between Adam and Arthur, and what symbols did the author use to connect the two characters?
Arthur is in close proximity to Himmel Street (heaven), he steals forbidden fruit, and he is cast out into the world where he faces suffering (his sister dies in his arms). Interestingly, this last event happens when he has "two stolen apples in his pocket."
The narrator describes the horizon when Erik Vandenburg died. Which literary device is used to describe the horizon? Explain.
Metaphor, comparing the color of the horizon to milk
What kind of conflict is highlighted in the paragraph beginning with the following words: “When he was pushed out by the rest of his family…”?
Man v Self
The narrator says that something “loomed behind” Hans when he spoke to Liesel in the basement. What was it that loomed, and what did it symbolize?
The narrator explains that Hans' "shadow loomed behind him, watching. Someone was always watching." The shadow symbolizes the watching eyes of the community, the unknown threats that surround them.
The narrator uses an extended simile to compare Max’s voice to something. What is the extended simile?
Max Vandenburg's voice was like a stone.
What has Max done to make the pages for his book?
Cut up pages from Mein Kampf and paint them white
How does Hitler defeat Max in the imaginary boxing match?
Hitler uses Max's retaliatory punches as evidence that Jews are "far more sinister and powerful than... imagined." He then rallies the spectators to gang up on Max.
Who appears when Liesel yells at Ilsa Hermann, and what happens to him?
Her brother appears, but she ignores him, shoving him down the stairs. He eventually disappears, holding his knee.
The author intends for the reader to dislike Viktor Chemmel after reading just one chapter that includes him. What is NOT one way the author characterizes Chemmel as an unlikable character?
He lies about Hans, insulting him behind his back to Liesel.
Why does Liesel want to steal The Whistler?
There’s more honor in stealing it compared to being given it
Choose one of the following symbols and explain its significance: yellow, seven, thirteen, gray, shadows, white.
In what way is Max similar to the snowman?
Destined to die due to delicateness and circumstance, only survives due to care
What is the symbolism of the toy soldier that Liesel gives to Max?
Represents empathy + care
How is Liesel’s dream different when Max is sick?
Her brother's face is being replaced by Max's.
Describe the mood as the visitors enter the house.
The mood is incredibly tense as the Hubermann family waits for the Nazis to search the basement and hope they don't discover Max.
How does the mood shift in the chapter “Death’s Diary: The Parisians”?
The chapter deals with gas chambers. It is incredibly dark, depressing, and sickening.
How does the mood shift in the chapter “Champagne and Accordions”?
Horrid descriptions morph into high spirit memories; Mood goes from eerie/ominous to happy + serene
What is the tone of Ilsa Hermann’s letter?
She is apologetic and sincere
Max speaks hyperbolically about the stars. What does he say about them, and why does he say it?
He says that, because he "had not seen the outside world for twenty-two months," the stars "burned [his] eyes."
The author alludes to the Bible in this chapter. List three ways that Hans’ story alludes to Jesus’ story.
Hans is forced to wear a hood of shame, similar to how Jesus had to wear a crown of thorns.
What does Hans want the Gestapo to do?
He wants the gestapo to come to search for treason so he feels that there was a purpose behind Max leaving
Read the paragraph beginning with the following words: “He made three separate formations…” What is one device being used in this paragraph? Explain your answer.
Allusion to German Book Burning
In what chapter of A Song in the Dark does the “young man” run away with the “romantic” girl’s best friend?
Tired Hearts
Is Hans able to effectively handle the horrors he witnesses as a member of the LSE? Explain.
He’s somewhat able to due to his moral compass, but the role still massively weighs him down
In The Word Shaker, what happens to the tree that the word shaker (Liesel) plants after she and the new axman (Max) climb down?
The tree falls down
How is Rudy described behind one of the curtains as he dresses himself in the suit?
There was a small circle of light and the shadow dressing itself.
Explain how the pun at the end of the chapter titled “Cardplayer” is ironic.
It’s ironic because Death himself can’t die and people can, and how the thought of killing Death is foolish and arrogant
Describe the mood of the chapter entitled “The Snows of Stalingrad.”
Torture, Agony, Hopelessness
When a vision of Liesel’s brother, Werner, appears for the third time on the doorstep of the Hermanns’ home, he praises her. What does Liesel do afterward, and how do her dreams change?
She smiles. Werner no longer appears in Liesel’s dreams, but Liesel will still always rmbr him
The chapter “One Toolbox, One Bleeder, One Bear” catches the reader up to a prolepsis that occurred earlier in the book. What is the name of the chapter from earlier in the book that showed the same scenes?
The Eclipse
Prior to the last sentence, what is the mood of the chapter entitled “Homecoming”?
Rehabilitative, Restorative, Nostalgic
Part 10 begins with a prolepsis. How does it impact the mood?
Darkens the mood by showing the sudden death of many
The narrator uses a morbid metaphor to describe a hanging body. What is the metaphor?
The dead body to a Human Pendulum
The small chapter entitled “The War Maker” acts as a segue, allowing the author to shift from one topic to another. What are the topics?
Michael Holtzapel’s Death & Jewish Concentration Camp
Closely read the paragraph beginning with the following words: “He stood absolutely still as the others…” Then, look back at the book The Word Shaker. What image from Max’s book is analogous to this scene?
Liesel standing next to the tree so it wouldn’t fall
What can Hans no longer do the night he comes back from the train station?
He can no longer play the accordion
Why does Liesel want to “kill the words” when she is in Ilsa Hermann’s library?
The words are what give Hitler, the Fuhrer, power (The word fuel her problems)
What did Death do to the framed photo of Hitler?
Death stepped on it, symbolizing that everyone, no matter status or power, succumbs to death.
Read the paragraph beginning with the following words: “One could not exist without the other…” What is Hans to Liesel?
Referred to as an accordion to Liesel, because of the comfort and care he provides her
What was Liesel’s reaction to her devastation? What did she do in the spare room of the mayor's house?
She had a self conversation well into the night
What happens in October of 1945?
Max pulls up to Alex’s shop
Personification
the attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something nonhuman, or the representation of an abstract quality in human form.
Imagery
visually descriptive or figurative language, especially in a literary work.
sight, sound, smell, taste, touch
Irony
The contrast between expectation and reality is known as irony.
Symbolism
the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.
Metaphor
a comparison between two things that are otherwise unrelated
Simile
a figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, using like or as
Pun
a joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words which sound alike but have different meanings
Mood vs Tone
If tone is the author's attitude toward a subject, then mood is how we are made to feel as readers, or the emotion evoked by the author.
Allusion
an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference.
Hyperbole
exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally
Analogy
a comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification
Setting
the place or type of surroundings where something is positioned or where an event takes place
Exp, R.A., Climax, F.A., Res.
Exposition: The beginning of the story, where the setting, characters, and background information are introduced. It sets up the story and provides context for what is to come.
Rising Action: The series of events that build up tension and develop the conflict. Characters face challenges, and the stakes rise, leading up to the main turning point.
Climax: The peak of the story's tension and the turning point, where the main conflict reaches its highest intensity. This is often where the protagonist faces a critical challenge or makes a major decision.
Falling Action: The events that follow the climax, showing the consequences of the climax and starting to resolve the story's conflict. The tension decreases as things move toward a conclusion.
Resolution: The end of the story, where the conflict is fully resolved, and loose ends are tied up. The story reaches its conclusion, and the characters’ fates are clarified.
Foreshadowing
an advance sign or warning of what is to come in the future
Flashbacks
a scene in a movie, novel, etc., set in a time earlier than the main story.
Parallel Plots
a story structure in which the writer includes two or more separate narratives linked by a common character, event, or theme
Prolepsis
Foreshadowing but instead fully shows and depicts the event
Segue
a smooth transition from one topic or section to the next.
Protagonist Vs. Antagonist
A protagonist is the main point-of-view character, while the antagonist is the opposing force who stands in the way of the protagonist's goals.
Complex Character
Dynamic or Round
Types of conflict
man vs man, man vs self, man vs nature, man vs society
Theme
_____ is about _____ and argues that ______.
Note 
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