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Luu 1 Christine Luu Ms.Lesan English 10 12/10/10 Unexpectedly Courageous Does it take a hero to have courage?

Courage is the ability to face danger or pain without showing signs of fear. In fact, anyone is able to achieve acts of courage. Those with a kind heart would be willing to risk their lives for the well being of others. In The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, the lives of the citizens of Nazi Germany changed when Hitler declared the extermination of Jews. However, some brave hearts had helped the Jews out with either food or shelter, even under the vigilant eyes of the Nazi Party. Throughout all the tragedies, acts of bravery through generosity were portrayed by Rudy, Liesel, and Hans. Although she was a child, Liesel was able to demonstrate that she was not cowardice, but courageous. To be able to stand up for herself towards the mayors wife is something that no other child would be able to do. As proven from Liesel herself, You give me this Saumensch of a book and think itll make everything goodWhile you sit here in your mansion? (Zusak 262). From the moment Ilsa Herman handed Liesel an envelope and insisted her to take The Whistler as her own possession, she knew what had just happened and it hurt her so much because not only did she have to explain to Rosa, but because this was the last thing that held the Hubermann household together. It was as if someone had just shot her in the heart, she felt like she had just lost everything. It made her build up so much anger that she had to explode, words of hatred poured right out of her and hit the mayors wife right in the face. Liesel decided to hurt Ilsa at her weakest point just as she had just done to Liesel. She told Ilsa that it was pathetic how she could not accept

Luu 2 the fact that her son is forever gone, crying over him would not make a difference because it cannot bring him back. Liesel had just confronted Ilsa without a single sign of fear. In addition, throughout all the temptations of wanting to reveal the truth, Liesel was still able to keep her biggest secret to herself. She and her parents had been hiding a Jew, Max in their basement for a while and they do everything that they can to keep him safe. When Max got sick, Liesel wanted to cheer him up by showing him the best weather report. After delivering handfuls of snow, Liesel checked that no one was outside, then proceeded to take as many buckets and pots out as she could (Zusak 312). Her handfuls of snow showed him the world outside; her bucketfuls of snow showed him that she cared. Even Hans and Rosa joins in on the fun in building the snowman to give Max the best of spirits. As to hiding a Jew in the basement is courageous enough, Liesel goes further as to comforting him. In addition, when a division of the NSDAP arrived on Himmel Street, Liesel had to show no signs of worry for she was the one hiding a Jew. Think, Liesel Thats it, she decided, but I have to make it real (Zusak 340). Liesel had to create a plan to give Hans and Rosa the message so that they could hide Max because not only will Max be taken away, but the whole family will. And her courageously perfect plan was to get hurt playing soccer so that she could go home, and it had worked. As the Nazi Party was walking around her house, she showed no signs of suspicion and they left peacefully. Evidently, Liesel is a smart girl that demonstrates acts of courage. Along with Liesel, Rudy is also portrayed as valiant. Rudy is a German child with blond hair and blue eyes, also considered as the superior child as of that period of time. But to see him imitating Jesse Owens, an African American runner would be considered a disgrace as of the perspective of Nazi Germany. However, Rudy as the innocent child he was, did not know anything about being a superior race. Although not knowing, he was willing to go outside publicly with

Luu 3 charcoal on his face and run as if he were Jesse Owens. Owens is looking good (Zusak 57), as Rudy claims before taking off. Likewise, Rudy was trying to prove his love for Liesel by retrieving one of her most prized possessions from the Amper River. It was December and the water was ice cold, however Rudy didnt mind and jumped right in after the floating book. You see a shivering blond fringe. Preemptively, you can conclude, as I would, that Rudy died that very same day, of hypothermia (Zusak 241). Evidently, it was as cold as to the point where Rudy could have froze to death. But, he didnt because he didnt deserve to according to Death. His courageousness allowed him to withstand the frigid waters. Moreover, when Liesel saw Max walking down Munich Street in a line full of Jews, she called out to him but Rudy tried his best to stop her. He forced her knees to the road and suffered the penalty. He collected her punches as if they were presentsand more important, he was able to hold her down (Zusak 515). Even with Liesels dare-devil personality, Rudy was still able to hold her back from making a mistake that could cost her life. As proven, Rudy is a benevolent person that would go out of his way, as courageous enough as to helping others in times of need. In addition, Hans also demonstrated the courage to do what he knows is the right thing to do. Through all of Nazi Germany, almost everyone supported Hitler and joined the Nazi Party. As proven, In 1933, 90 percent of Germans showed unflinching support for Adolf Hitler. That leaves 10 percent who didnt. Hans Hubermann belonged to that 10 percent (Zusak 63). Hans knew that it was wrong to be a part of the Nazi Party because Jews shouldnt have been treated the way that they were. They were humans, not animals so they should have got the respect that everyone got. It was bold of Hans to stand up for what he believes and not be a part of the Nazi Party, not many people were like that. With more support towards Jews, Hans also painted their houses. So, he has been called, ... Der Juden Maler- the Jew painter-for painting Jewish houses...Everyone knew

Luu 4 you werent supposed to paint over slurs written on a Jewish shop front (Zusak 104). Through every little thing, Hans found a way to help out the people that needed help the most and was brave enough to do so. In November 1940, Max comes to the doors of the Hubermann residence. He is looking for shelter and Hans willingly accepts him in the house. Liesels papa walked to the front door and opened it. Cautiously, he looked outside, each way, and returned. The verdict was nothing (Zusak 185). A promise that he had made to his friend, he keeps his word and would be willing to take care of his son even if hes a Jew. His morality is the better of him than influences from the outside world. As Hans walked the streets with Liesel, an elderly man approaches them and Hans hands him some bread. The Jew stood before him...as Hans Hubermann held his hand out and presented a piece of bread like magic (Zusak 394). A miracle had just happened because Hans, as humane as he was helped out a Jew in need. However, to others, this was a disgrace as a soldier headed toward them and whipped the man 6 times as well as Hans 4 times. Of all the tragedies that occurred during the Holocaust, Hans still had enough courage to help everyone that came to him for help. Acts of bravery were portrayed by Rudy, Liesel, and Hans throughout all the tragedies of the Holocaust. In Nazi Germany, even people who knew right from wrong did not have enough courage to help out the Jews that were mistreated so badly. However, Rudy, Liesel, and Hans knew that morality came first and did all that they could to make the world even a little better than it was. Acts of courage are achieved through selflessness and just about anyone could have courage if they have a brave heart, it does not take a hero to be brave.

Luu 5 Work Cited Zusak, Markus. The Book Thief. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005. Print.

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