Death as a Narrator in Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief

For your assignment, you will write a multi-paragraph 2–3-page formal essay identifying and explaining how the theme is used in The Book Thief by Zusak Markus - a novel you read. Overall, your essay should identify the theme of the novel; examine how that theme develops the story through the interaction of characters, setting, and/or plot; and explain how the theme development affects the understanding of the book and portrays the message the author is trying to convey to the reader. 

Death as a Narrator in Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief

Introduction:

Hook: Pain can be only felt by the living because Death brings an end to all suffering.

Novel title and author: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Background information for theme topic: Death is personified and observes the sequence of events.

Thesis sentence: Personification of Death heightens the effectiveness of narration, especially for pain and suffering.

Essay Body:

Topic Sentence for first thesis main idea: Pain and suffering are a part of life, and humans move towards death.

Evidence from story that supports and proves first thesis main idea (include in text citation): People who thought they were fighting for their country were inviting their own death. “I've seen so many young men … who think they're running at other young men. They are not. They are running at me.” (Zusak).

Analysis and explanation to show how that evidence supports and proves first thesis main idea: The backdrop of war makes death’s existence more daunting.

Evidence from the story that supports and proves first thesis main Idea (Include in text citation): Every character has to face death, even Liesel Meminger. "A small fact: You are going to die..." (Zusak).

Analysis and explanation to show how that evidence supports and proves first thesis main idea: Death is imminent.

(Continue this pattern for developing the topic sentence main idea if needed.) Topic Sentence for second thesis main idea: Pain ultimately makes humans stronger. Evidence from story that supports and proves second thesis main

Idea (Include in text citation): Pain stems out of transient happiness. “Like most misery, it started with apparent happiness.” (Zusak). Analysis and explanation to show how that evidence supports and proves second thesis main idea: Pain is found at every step, especially for Liesel who had to undergo so much at a tender age.

Evidence from the story that supports and proves second thesis main Idea (Include in text citation): Despite so much, Liesel lived and endured the pain. “It amazes me what humans can do, even when streams are flowing down their faces and they stagger on, coughing, and searching, and finding” (Zusak).

Analysis and explanation to show how that evidence supports and proves second thesis main idea: Liesel let go of this pain and went on to live peacefully, where her final moments were again witnessed by Death (Continue this pattern for developing the topic sentence main idea if needed.)

Topic Sentence for third thesis main idea: Narration by Death increases the sensitivity.

Evidence from story that supports and proves third thesis main idea (Include in text citation): Death is omnipresent for the living. “… I have the endless ability to be in the right place at the right time” (Zusak).

Analysis and explanation to show how that evidence supports and Proves third thesis main idea: Death follows the life-events of Liesel closely and happens to be at all the junctions of her life.

Evidence from the story that supports and proves third thesis main Idea (Include in text citation): As much as humans are affected by death, human suffering also affects death. “I am haunted by humans.” (Zusak).

Analysis and explanation to show how that evidence supports and proves third thesis main idea: Death becomes a figure that sympathizes with the human misery (Continue this pattern for developing the topic sentence main idea if needed.)

(Continue this pattern of developing main ideas for the body if needed.)