Sunday, March 8, 2009
Discussion 2- Setting
The Book Thief takes place on Himmel Street in Nazi Germany. Himmel Street is the poorer part of town, where families are really feeling the burden of Nazi Germany. The weather is usually damp, cloudy, and chilly, adding to the bleak tone of the book. This tone helps the reader relate to what Nazi Germany was like by showing it is not a nice place to live. Even when Liesel visits the mayor's house in the nicer part of town, the mood remains bleak showing there's really no refuge from the dull weather and feel of the town. I feel like this setting is appropriate for this book. Since the book is narrated by a very sarcastic Death, a cold dull neighborhood as the setting would be expected. Also, since the purpose of the book is to show how hard Nazi Germany was a sad setting would be appropriate because it's meant to be a place we don't want to go. After reading about the cold winters and the slightly warm but not much better summers, this is not a place I'd ever want to visit. This book makes the reader forget every happy thought they had of Germany and replaces it with thoughts of dreary loneliness. Since this is the tone of the book, the choice of Himmel Street as the setting is perfect.
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I agree that the setting portrays a negative feel about Germany and wouldn't make me want to go there either! Also, I agree that having the tone so strong like it is, is very important to get a more forceful opinion on Nazi Germany, and Germany in general.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this neighborhood seems dull and bleak and that it's not a great place to live in. Death also helps contribute to the feel of the neighborhood. I like how you mentioned at the end of your post that the thoughts of Germany are "dreary loneliness" because this really is the tone of the book.
ReplyDeleteI like how you related the cold, dark setting to the "personality" of the narrator Death. I did not think about that connection, but it's interesting to note how the setting not only relates to the time period and events of the book but also the narration and point of view.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the setting is mainly portrayed by the weather: damp, cloudy, and chilly. Although the overall environment is already full of tension and hatred, the weather just adds on it. A sunny day would not go well with this setting.
ReplyDeleteI liked that you mentioned the mayor's house. I agree that even though there is more money and it's away from the town, it still seems dreary. It even seems a little more dreary because, although Himmel street is gray, the characters have such strong personalities and the community is so alive. Whereas the mayor and his wife are just kind of blah.
ReplyDeleteI also see the mayors house as a "not happy place", even though they have the most money. The feelings going on in that house make the mood change and then I feel that they setting itself become dreary.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the tone helps show readers what an awful place Nazi Germany was to live. I also agree that it seems very dull and gloomy even in the nicer area of the town.
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