West Bloomfield High School English Department English 9 Summer Homework 2016 ​
​
The Book Thief ​
by Marcus Zusak Step 1) ​
Acquire and read ​
The Book Thief.​
Consider ordering a new or used copy online now that we no longer have a local Barnes and Noble. You may also check one out from the public library. Step 2) For this novel, there are two sets of questions. The set of questions labeled “study questions” is for you to use to help check your own understanding of the novel. These questions will not​
​
be collected​
but will be useful in preparing you for the objective test that you will take when school starts in September. The second set of questions labeled “short answer” contain one question per section of the novel that must be answered in paragraph form ​
using complete sentences and​
​
textual evidence. ​
These answers must be typed and formatted according to MLA standards. Please refer to the example provided below as a model. The “short answer questions” must be typed and saved, as you will be turning them in during the first week of school. You will need both a hard copy for your teacher, as well as an electronic copy to submit to turnitin.com. ​
**​
Instructions for submitting the assignment online to www.turnitin.com will be handed out by your English 9 teacher during the first week of class. Step 3) When you return to school, be prepared to take an​
objective test​
on the novel. This 50 question multiple choice test will measure your ability to comprehend material on various levels (such as factual, interpretive, and critical). A Brief synopsis of ​
The Book Thief ​
­ adapted from the book jacket: It's just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist­fighter, a quite a lot of thievery… Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she cannot resist ­ books. With the help of her accordion­ playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau. Setting: Nazi Germany Style : Historical fiction based during, and using information about WWII. Fantasy­ based on the use of the narrator. While the “Short Answer questions” is a graded assignments, don’t panic. We’ll give you a little bit of latitude on your answers. You will, however, not receive full credit for any answer that does not contain textual evidence. This is an individual assignment and cannot be completed using information from sparknotes.com, wikipedia.com, etc. It must be YOUR ORIGINAL WORK. Please review English Department policies on plagiarism if you have any concerns. Assignment must be submitted using full MLA formatting. You will be able to add your teacher’s name to your saved assignment when you receive your schedule. Please visit the Purdue OWL website if you have forgotten how to properly use MLA formatting: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/ If you have any questions during the summer months, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs McHardy at ​
[email protected]​
. It is very important to us that you find success and meaning in your summer reading. Enjoy your summer, and this fantastic novel, Sincerely, Your English 9 Literature teachers The Book Thief​
­ study questions THAT WILL NOT BE COLLECTED!!! Prologue 1.​
​
Where is the narrator as he starts his story? Death and Chocolate 2.​
​
What is the small fact the narrator states? 3.​
​
What has nothing to do with the narrator? 4.​
​
Who does the narrator can't stand to look at? How does this connect to the story the narrator will present? Beside the Railway Line 5.​
​
What was first up for the narrator? Why do you think this color is used? 6.​
​
What mistake did the narrator make at the train line? The Eclipse 7.​
​
Why is this chapter called eclipse? The Flag 8.​
​
What is the setting of ​
The Book Thief​
? 9.​
​
What does the girl clutch in the mountain of rubble? Part One Arrival on Himmel Street 10.​
​
What tragedy struck Liesel’s family while aboard the train? 11.​
​
Why were Liesel and her brother Werner supposed to be placed in foster care in January 1939? 12.​
​
Why was the book about grave digging significant to Liesel? 13.​
​
What color is Europe? Why this color? Growing Up a Saumensch 14.​
​
Define: a.​
​
Communist b.​
​
Saumensch? 15.​
​
Describe the Hubermanns. Why do you think the Hubermanns insisted that Liesel call them “Mama” and “Papa”? The Woman with the Iron Fist 16.​
​
How does Papa comfort Liesel at night? 17.​
​
What did the accordion music represent to Liesel? 18.​
​
Even though Liesel cannot read, what did the book represent for Liesel? 19.​
​
What is the BDM? 20.​
​
Why is Mama called the woman with the iron fist? The Kiss (A Childhood Decision Maker) 21.​
​
Identify the following: a.​
​
Rudy Steiner b.​
​
Frau Diller c.​
​
Tommy Muller d.​
​
Pfiffkus 22.​
​
What is the road of yellow stars? 23.​
​
What was the bet between Rudy and Liesel? The Jesse Owens Incident Jesse Owens ­1936 Olympics 24.​
​
Describe Alex Steiner's reaction to his son during the Jesse Owens incident. What was Rudy’s father trying to teach his son on the night of the Jesse Owens incident? The Other Side of Sandpaper 25.​
​
Why is Liesel's bed wetting important in this section? 26.​
​
What is the significance of the title of this section? 27.​
​
"Hans Hubermann belonged to the 10 percent. There was a reason for that" (p 63). Speculate why Hans belongs to the 10 percent. The Smell of Friendship 28.​
​
What was the smell of friendship for Liesel? Why? The Heavyweight Champion of the School­Yard 29.​
​
Why did Liesel insist on participating in the reading examination? Why did it end in disaster? When Liesel cries, of whom does she think? 30.​
​
Why did the narrator’s workload increase in the beginning of September 1939? Part Two The Girl Made of Darkness 31.​
​
What did Liesel steal? The Joy of Cigarettes 32.​
​
Symbolism​
—A symbol in literature is a person, object, or event that stands for an idea or a set of ideas. What does the book ​
The Grave Digger’s Handbook​
symbolize? 33.​
​
How did Hans Hubermann’s Christmas gift to Liesel reveal the depth of his feelings for her? The Town Walker 34.​
​
Why did Mama Hubermann decide to risk sending Liesel on the important business of laundry pickup and delivery? 35.​
​
Why do you suppose the Hubermanns avoid any discussion of Liesel’s mother in front of her daughter? Dead Letters Flashback and Flash Forward—A writer can play with time sequence to achieve particular effects. A flashback is a scene which takes the narrative back to a time before the current point in the plot. A flash forward reveals what will happen at some future point in the story. 36.​
​
Do you think Liesel deserved to be punished for taking money to mail letters to her mother? Was Rosa justified in meting out such a harsh punishment? 37.​
​
“Liesel Meminger was ready. Happy Birthday, Herr Hitler. Many happy returns" (p 100). What is your reaction to the last lines of this chapter? Hitler's Birthday, 1940 38.​
​
In what important respect did Hans Junior differ from his father? 39.​
​
Why did Hans Junior accuse his father of cowardice? What was the “mistake” Papa Hubermann had committed? In what ways might Hans Hubermann have been considered a hero and not a coward as he had been accused by his son? 40.​
​
What happened to Hans Junior? 100 Percent Pure German Sweat 41.​
​
What shocking realization met Liesel when she listened to the speaker at the bonfire? Hint:Kommuniste The Gates of Thievery 42.​
​
What calculation does Liesel make? 43.​
​
Why did Papa Hubermann slap Liesel? Book of Fire 44.​
​
What is the name of the book that Liesel rescues from the book burning? 45.​
​
At the end of Part 2 what suspense (A literary device in which the author maintains the audience's attention through the buildup of events, the outcome of which will soon be revealed) is created? Part 3 The Way Home The Mayor's Library 46.​
​
Who had seen Liesel steal the book at the book burning? 47.​
​
What silent understanding do you think passed between Liesel and the mayor’s wife? Why do you suppose Ilse Hermann allowed Liesel to browse through her library? Enter The Struggler 48.​
​
What do you think is the relationship between Max and Hans Hubermann? 49.​
​
"Those things happen when you wake up from a bad dream, not when you wake into one." How does this quote relate to the times of the novel? The Attributes of Summer 50.​
​
Why did Liesel avoid the mayor’s house for some time? And then, why did she change radically and look forward to delivering laundry to the mayor’s house? 51.​
​
Do you think that the thievery practiced by Rudy, Liesel, and the other children was justified? Why? The​
​
Aryan​
Shopkeeper 52.​
​
Who is Frau Diller? 53.​
​
Why was it a great day for Liesel and Rudy? The Struggler, Continued 54.​
​
Why did Max Vandenburg read a copy of Mein Kampf on the train? Tricksters " ­ Proof again of the contradictory human being. So much good, so much evil. Just add water" (p 164). The Struggler, Concluded Part 4 The Accordionist (The Secret Life of Hans Hubermann ) A Good Girl Liesel sees Max enter the Hubermann's house. A Short History of the Jewish Fighter 55.​
​
Why did Death like Max? 56.​
​
How do you suppose Max’s years of street fighting helped him during the years before and during World War II? 57.​
​
Who was Walter Kugler and how did he help Max? The Wrath of Rosa 58.​
​
What happens to Max as he eats the pea soup? Liesel's Lecture 59.​
​
Why did Hans risk frightening Liesel terribly? The Sleeper “Liesel, in the act of watching, was already noticing the similarities between this stranger and herself. They both arrived in a state of agitation on Himmel Street. They both nightmared" (p 206). The Swapping of Nightmares 60.​
​
What qualities do you think Rosa Hubermann demonstrated after Max’s arrival? 61.​
​
"Imagine smiling after a slap in the face. Then think of doing it twenty­four hours a day" How does this quote relate to the Hubermanns? 62.​
​
What new routine do the Hubermanns and Max have? 63.​
​
How does Liesel describe Max's hair? 64.​
​
Why does Max call ​
Mein Kampf​
the best book ever? 65.​
​
What would have been "like a lamb, handing a knife to a butcher?" (p 221) Pages From The Basement 66.​
​
What factors helped to create the bond between Max and Liesel? Why do you think Max created ​
The Standover Man​
for Liesel? What was significant about the materials he used to make the book? Part Five The Floating Book (Part 1) 67. Why do you suppose the narrator flashed forward to Rudy Steiner’s death? Do you think this knowledge improves or lessens your appreciation of the book? Why? The Gamblers (A Seven ­Sided Die) 68. What is being personified as Liesel thinks about Max while she is visiting the mayor’s wife? 69. " Max and Liesel were held together by the quiet gathering of words" (p 248). Explain. 70. Why did Liesel scavenge from garbage pails on the days she went on her laundry route? 71. How did Max make time pass as he spent days and weeks in the Hubermanns' basement? 72. What is the symbolism of 1. the dream of Max fighting with the Führer? 2. Max’s over­written pages of Mein Kampf? 73. What does the seventh side of the die mean? 74. In your opinion, did Ilse Hermann deserve Liesel’s anger? Why? Rudy's Youth 75. Do you think Rudy deserved the punishment he received at Franz’s hands? Could he have avoided it? The Losers 76. Describe Victor Chemmel. What is his threat to Rudy? Sketches 77. React to the two sketches (p.279­280) that Max had drawn. The Whistler And The Shoes 78. Why did Lisa and Rudy feel compelled to commit a significant robbery by themselves? Who and what did they rob? 79. What did Liesel become in late October 1941? Three Acts Of Stupidity By Rudy Steiner 80. In what ways did Franz Deutscher embody the attitude of Hitler’s regime? The Floating book (Part 2) 81. What is revealed in this section? Part Six Death's Diary:1942 82. How does death describe himself and what does,"You want to know what I truly look like? I'll help you out. Find Yourself a mirror" (p 307) mean? 83. What are the three examples of death in 1942 that Death mentions? The Snowman 84. Why was Christmas Day 1942 a special time for those who resided in Hans Hubermann’s home? Thirteen Presents 85. What did Liesel hope to accomplish by bringing presents to the unconscious Max? 86. “It didn't stop her from pulling a lump of salt water from her eye and feeding it onto Max Vanderburg's face. She knew” (p 324). What did Liesel know? Fresh Air, An Old Nightmare, And what To Do With A Jewish Corpse 87. Why do you think Liesel was able to enter the mayor’s house with ease and rob books each time? 88. How did Liesel’s dream about her brother and Max Vandenburg mirror the conflicts in her own life? 89. How was ​
The Dream Carrier​
the complete antithesis of ​
The Whistler​
? 90. Why did Rosa Hubermann make an unplanned visit to Liesel’s school? Death's Diary: Cologne The Bombing of Cologne The Visitor NSDAP ­ National Sozialistische Deutsche Arbeiter Partei (National Socialist German Workers’ Party) The Schmunzeler Shumunzel ­ to smile Death's Diary: The Parisians The Mauthausen Concentration Camp 91. Why did Death say that the sky was “the color of Jews”? How did Death respond to the mass destruction of human lives? Part Seven Champagne And Accordions 92. What caused the brief period of contentment for Liesel and Papa Hubermann during the summer of 1942? The Trilogy 93. What was the trilogy of happiness? The Sound Of Sirens 94. Why didn’t Death feel sympathy for the Germans who hid in their basements during the air raids? The Sky Stealer 95. Irony—Why is it ironic that a book helped the Germans live through the second air raid in Molching? 96. Why didn't Papa bring his accordion with him? 97. How did Liesel calm the group during the raid? Frau Holtzapfel's Offer 98. What was Frau Holtzapfel's offer? The Long Walk To Dachau 99. Why did Hans suffer feelings of guilt after giving the dying Jewish man a piece of bread? 100. Allusion—An allusion is a literary reference to a familiar person, place, or event. Allusions may give readers a common reference point and also confer authenticity on a work of literature. For example, in this section of the novel, the narrator explains that the Jewish prisoners were being marched through the streets of Molching to demonstrate the efficiency of the Dachau work camp. How is this effective in this novel? Peace 101. Why does Max leave? The Idiot And The Coat Men 102. Why was Hans Hubermann guilt­ridden? 103. For whom have the Coat Men come? Part Eight The vision of a perfect race Dominoes And Darkness 104. Why did “the coat men” visit Alex Steiner’s house? The Thought Of Rudy Naked 105. Why was Rudy selected for examination by the Nazi medical authorities? What was it ironic? Punishment 106. Why were the middle­aged Alex Steiner and Hans Hubermann drafted? The Promise Keeper's Wife 107. What did Rosa Hubermann sleep with after Hans left for the war? The Collector 108. What was the LSE? 109. Why do you think Hans Hubermann’s letters home were so brief? 110. Why do you think the author showed German soldiers, such as Hans Hubermann, performing civilian tasks instead of being shown on a battlefield? And, why did he focus on ordinary German civilians during wartime? The Bread Eaters 111. Why did Liesel and Rudy go to observe the third march of the Jews to Dachau? The Hidden Sketchbook 112. What do you think Max’s book (The Word Shaker) revealed about the power of words? How might words represent both beauty and evil? What message do you think the story imparted? The Anarchist's Suit Collection 113. Why did Liesel take Rudy to his father’s abandoned shop on Christmas night? Part Nine The Next Temptation 114. How did Ilse Hermann prepare for Liesel’s next visit? Do you think Ilse Hermann was a Nazi sympathizer? 115. " Propaganda even reached the bathroom" (p 450). React. The Cardplayer 116. Who is Reinhold Zucker? The Snows Of​
​
Stalingrad 117. What disturbing news did Michael Holtzapfel bring to Himmel Street? Why did this news devastate Rosa Hubermann as well as his own mother? The Ageless Brother 118. What finally laid the ghost of Liesel’s brother to rest? The Accident 119. Why did Hans survive the accident? The Bitter taste Of Questions 120. What is Rudy's reaction that Liesel's father was coming home? One Toolbox, One Bleeder, One Bear 121. What did Death mean when he commented about Liesel as she observed the dying survivor of the plane crash, “She did not back away or try to fight me, but I know that something told the girl I was there . . . she knew me and she looked me in my face and she did not look away . . . we both moved on”? (p 490) 122. What did Rudy give the dying pilot? 123. What does the narrator mean when he says," It's probably fair to say that in all the years of Hitler's reign, no person was able to serve the Fuhrer as loyally as me" (491). Homecoming 124. Do you find the last few words of this section suspenseful? Why? Part Ten The End Of The World (Part 1) 125. How did Liesel survive the air strike on Himmel Street? How did words once again save her life? 126. " Each soul was so soft" (p 499). Who is death describing? The Ninety­Eighth Day 127. Why did Liesel attend each time Jews were marched through Molching? 128. Why did Michael Holtzapfel commit suicide? The War Maker "Max Vandenburg was one such Jew." Way Of The Words 129. What did Liesel do when she saw Max? 130. How did Rudy save Liesel’s life? Confessions 131. What does Liesel confess to Rudy? Ilsa Hermann's Little Black Box 132. How did Ilse Hermann inspire Liesel to write her own story? The Rib­Cage Planes 133. How had Liesel developed a love­hate relationship with words? The End Of The World (Part 2) 134. What did Liesel realize when she found Rudy’s body after the bombing? 135. " He steps on my heart. He makes me cry" (p 531). Who is Death talking about? 136. Who does Death say had the best soul? Why? Epilogue Death And Liesel 137. What do we find out about Liesel? Wood In The Afternoon 138. Who took care of Liesel after she was orphaned for the second time? Max 139. Who was the unexpected survivor of the war? The Handover Man 140. What did Death tell Liesel? The Book Thief​
Short Answer Questions ​
THAT WILL BE SUBMITTED FOR CREDIT These questions are to be answered in complete sentences using appropriately cited quotations to support your answers. This assignment should be saved. You will need to turn in a hard copy (printed) as well as submit an electronic copy during the first week of school. Prologue 1.​
​
Page 4 gives a hint of who the narrator is. Who is the narrator? Why does the narrator see life in terms of color? Part One 2.​
​
Irony​
—Irony refers to the difference between the way things seem to be and the way things are. What was ironic about the first book that Liesel “stole”? Also, what is ironic about Himmel Street? Part Two 3.​
​
Verbal irony​
—Verbal irony is a figure of speech in which the speaker says one thing, but intends something quite different. The device of verbal irony may include sarcasm, overstatement, and understatement. For instance, the narrator says that World War II was the result of the Germans’ love of burning things. What tells you that this statement should not be taken literally, at face value? Part Three 4.​
​
Cliffhanger​
—A cliffhanger is a device borrowed from silent serialized films in which an episode would end abruptly at a moment of heightened tension or suspense. In a book it usually appears at the end of a chapter to encourage the reader to continue on in the book. What is the cliffhanger at the end of Part Three? Was it effective? Why? Part Four 5.​
​
Flashback​
—How did Erik Vandenburg save Hans Hubermann’s life in the first World War? 6.​
​
Symbolism​
—What do you think the accordion symbolized? 7.​
​
Metaphor​
—What implied comparison is being made in the following comment about war? ​
"The conversation of bullets." Part Five 8.​
​
What do you think was significant about the book entitled The Whistler? Is there a common theme that connects the books Liesel has stolen? Part Six 9.​
​
How did “Death” characterize the year 1942? Why do you think the author has “Death” narrate this tale, using a chatty, somewhat​
​
ironic​
tone? Do you think this adds or detracts from the book’s serious themes? Why? Part Seven 10.​
​
Extended Metaphor​
—An extended metaphor is a suggested or implied comparison that continues on. The chapter “The Long Walk to Dachau” begins with the events of the day being compared to “an ocean sky, with whitecap clouds.” Scan the chapter and find other examples of events being compared to stormy waters. What is this metaphor meant to explain? Is it effective? Why? Part Eight Allegory​
—An allegory is a work in which characters, events, or settings symbolize, or represent, something else. Max Vandenburg’s illustrated story for Liesel is allegorical because the events and actions are symbolic and not intended to be taken literally. For instance: Soon, the demand for the lovely ugly words and symbols increased to such a point that the forests grew. Many people were needed to maintain them. Some were employed to climb the trees and throw the words down to those below. They were then fed directly into the remainder of the Fuhrer’s people, not to mention those who came back for more. 1. How do the words and symbols that sprout from these trees relate to the political situation in Hitler’s Germany? Part Nine 12.​
​
Most of this story has not dealt with any personal stories of soldiers. What is your reaction to “The Snows of Stalingrad”? How does this add to the characterization of the narrator? What is the effect of showing how the narrator and the people experience the same death? Part Ten 13.​
​
For each of the important people lost in “The End of the World Part Two”, Liesel says good bye in a manner fitting that which she loved most about the individual person. What did she do for each of them? What does each act say about how she feels for that person? Epilogue 1. At the end of the novel, only one character survives the war. Why this character? What is the author trying to say about war and humanity? ***Example of an “A” worthy answer!!!**** Sample Question from ​
To Kill a Mockingbird (Note: there is no author listed for in text citation as there is only one book being cited) Question #1: What is the reader meant to learn from Jem’s relationship with Boo Radley? Answer: Through this novel, the reader watches Jem grow from a place of prejudice based on what he has heard about Boo Radley to an acceptance of Boo Radley based on his own interactions. Early in the novel, Jem says he is “Six and a half feet tall, judging from his tracks; he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch…There was a long…scar that ran across his face…his eyes popped and he drooled most of the time” (13). This is something Jem has imagined based on the over exaggerated tales of Miss Stephanie Crawford. As the novel progresses, Jem tells Scout, “I think I am beginning to understand something. I think I am beginning to understand why Boo Radley has stayed shut up all this time. It is because he wants to stay inside” (227). This growth in Jem shows not just his acceptance of Boo Radley but a realization that the world is full of prejudice and injustice.