Discussion Post 3

Zusak’s constant use of figurative language gives a unique perspective to his sad story, The Book Thief. He is able to appropriately use figurative language to enhance the meaning of various descriptions as well as add more light to his gloomy story. One example of Zusak’s language is found in the introduction of Max: “The hand splashed at the cold waves of his clothes and the grimy currents beneath.” (139). This unique way of describing the cold and dirty condition of the character, Max, adds more importance to his deprived state. Another example of figurative language is found describing Liesel; “Trust me, though, the words were on their way, and when they arrived, Liesel would hold them in her hands like the clouds, and she would wring them out like rain” (80). This sentence combines personification with similes to signify the power Liesel will have with the power to read. Personification is used through the arrival of Liesel’s “words” while the similes illustrate her holding the clouds, wringing out words (like rain). Zusak’s most important use of figurative language is found in Death, the narrator. The use of personification in Death gives importance to the role of the narrator and the theme of death to the book. Death is able to tell the story of the book thief unlike anyone else, through his deliberate respect for the girl and his rationality. The fact that Zusak uses so much figurative language in his book shows us that this book will be the most descriptive and unlike anything we have read.