2019 Year 12 IB Extended Essays

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Extended Essay

English A: Literature

Introduction Since the conclusion of the horrific events of World War II, an extensive number of publications, both fictional and non-fictional, have offered perspectives on the Holocaust. Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief is an example of the heartfelt storytelling that emerged from this event. Set in Nazi Germany, the novel is about Liesel Meminger, a young girl thrust into a nightmarish political climate about which she has very little understanding. Over the course of the novel, she navigates her way through her country's conflicting nationalistic philosophies, whilst also negotiating her own childhood and adolescence. It is a work that, in addition to demonstrating the perspective of a young German girl, comments on the devastating impacts of the Nazi Regime. Zusak’s decision to use the character of Death as the narrator of Liesel’s story is one that significantly shapes the novel. The personification of death has been a literary device used by many authors throughout history, from figures such as the Ancient Greek Thanatos to the frightening Grim Reaper. These often sinister representations of Death have engendered fear for centuries. However, rather than being the shadowy, sinister figure that he has historically been represented as, Death in The Book Thief is presented as a much more rounded, relatable and human character. He acts as an observer of the lives of humans, and, takes particular interest in Liesel’s story. Surprisingly, Zusak’s Death has the ability to express compassion, kindness and empathy at various points throughout the novel. Many of the opinions and emotions that Death conveys, especially in terms of his response to World War II, are reminiscent of those that humanity experiences, which allows the reader to adopt a new perception of the character of Death. The portrayal of Death as a more human-esque character by Zusak in The Book Thief allows for a unique interpretation of Death by readers – not as an entity that instils fear, but as a character that is deserving of empathy. In order to analyse the significance of Zusak’s characterisation of Death, it is necessary to evaluate it against traditional portrayals, and to examine the perception that Death has of his own role and his relationship with Liesel.

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