The 5 pillars of characterisation The Book Thief

Names and Labels Compare and contrast ActionsDialogueThoughts -Skinny, malnourished girl -She has “German blonde hair” but “dangerous eyes”(p.31) -Called ‘The Book Thief’ by Rudy; she steals books instead of food. -She starts out as illiterate (p.82) Max refers to her as a ‘Stand Over Man’- he describes her as protective. (p.255) -’The Word Shaker’- Liesel is calming and stands up for her values -”Saummensch” -Ludwig Schmeikl calls her ‘dumkopf’ and picks on her for being unable to read -Risk taker Liesel/Max: Similarities: -Like books/reading -Lost loved ones -Have nightmares -Have broken pasts -Both hate Hitler -Both recognize the importance/impact of words -Are victims of the brutality of humanity – but don’t act like it -Survivors -Bring out the best in those around them (e.g. Hans/Rosa) Differences: -He’s a Jew, she’s a German/ daughter of a communist -He has to hide -He has to fight for his life every day -He almost dies -He’s more aware of the hatred; she becomes aware when he turns up - Steals books -Strives to learn to read/write -Saves the accordion as a memento/respect for Hans -Looks after Max; doesn’t care that he’s a ‘Jew’ -Calms people in the bomb shelter (p. -Has hope- steals money from Rosa to send a letter to her mother -Kisses Rudy when it’s too late –in desperation -Beats Ludwig, but then helps him when he’s hurt -Continues to steal books from Ilsa -Yells at Ilsa -Gives bread to the Jews -Wrote the book in the basement -Steals ‘The Shoulder Shrug’ from the book burning -13 presents she gives to Max -Describes the weather to Max (p.269) -’It’s my heart that’s tired. A 13 year old shouldn’t feel like this.’(p.455) -’Jesus, Mary and Joseph!’ (potty-mouth) -Her descriptions of Max -Refusing to kiss Rudy all the time -”I hate Hitler.” -Dreams about her brother’s death -Dreams about Hitler speaking to her -Finds the definitions to words in the dictionary are wrong

TASK: Complete the table for your chosen main character Names and Labels Compare and contrast ActionsDialogueThoughts -Skinny, malnourished girl -She has “German blonde hair” but “dangerous eyes”(p.31) -Called ‘The Book Thief’ by Rudy; she steals books instead of food. -She starts out as illiterate (p.82) Max refers to her as a ‘Stand Over Man’- he describes her as protective. (p.255) -’The Word Shaker’- Liesel is calming and stands up for her values -”Saummensch” -Ludwig Schmeikl calls her ‘dumkopf’ and picks on her for being unable to read Liesel/Hitler: Similarities: -Recognise the power of words -Able to use words to impact those around them (e.g. Liesel: Ilsa, Frau Holtzapfel, Max. Hitler: Germany and Max, Liesel – ’kommunist’ ‘Jew’) - -Differences: -Hitler has a cool mo -One uses words as a weapon, the other uses words to heal -Hitler is old/Liesel is young; he’s childish and she’s not so much -He’s a leader, she’s a follower at the start