The Book Thief Literary Analysis Essay 100 pts.

The Book Thief

Literary Analysis Essay
        100 pts.

STEP 1: Choosing a topic
As you finish up your reading of the
novel, consider the following (might
help to take a look at your notes packet
and study questions):
*What was most interesting to you
about the novel?
*What have you taken good notes on?
*What do you have an opinion on?
*What will give you enough to write
about in a 5-part essay?

STEP 1: Choosing a Topic
*You will want to choose something that relates to a theme,
character, or literary element.

Characters: Liesel, Hans, Rosa, Max, Rudy, Ilsa Hermann

Themes: Power of words (negative or positive)
        Resisting evil/standing up for what is right
        Dual nature of humans
        Resisting oppression
        Compassion

Literary Elements: irony, description of setting, figurative language,
   foreshadowing, symbolism, etc.

STEP 1: Choosing a Topic
*You have 4 essay topics to choose from. You will write on only 1 of
    these topics.

1. Choose 1 theme and provide 3 events from the novel that
    demonstrate this theme.

2. Choose 1 character and detail 3 examples how that character relates
    to one of the novel’s themes.

3. Choose 1 literary element and discuss how that element is used to
    support one or more of the novel’s themes.

4. Discuss the importance of Death as narrator. Why is this appropriate
     and significant in relation to the novel’s themes?

*Please come tomorrow (FRIDAY) prepared with a topic choice,
    including the specifics of character, theme, etc.

STEP 2:
     Writing a Preliminary Thesis
Your thesis should contain 2 parts:
 A. Your specific topic (see essay options).
                        +
 B. A summary of the three ways you will prove
 your topic is true (3 thesis points).

*This can be written in either one or two
sentences.

Choice 1: Choose 1 theme and provide 3 events
 from the novel that demonstrate this theme.

Pattern: In Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief,
  (name the theme here) can be seen through
  (name 1st event), (name 2nd event ), and (name
  3rd event).

Example: In Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief, the
  destructive power of words can be seen
  through a conflict between a father and son, a
  public book burning, and a girl’s angry
  outburst toward a once trusted adult.

Choice 2: Choose 1 character and detail 3
 examples how that character relates to one of
 the novel’s themes.

Pattern: In Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief,
  (name the character here) exemplifies (name
  the theme here). This can been seen through
  (character’s name)’s (1st example), (2nd
  example), and (3rd example).

Example: In Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief,
  Hans exemplifies the theme of compassion.
  He does this through his treatment of Liesel,
  his accordion playing, and his willingness to
  help the persecuted Jews.

Choice 3: Choose 1 literary element and
 discuss how that element is used to
 support one or more of the novel’s
 themes.

Pattern: In Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief,
 (theme statement here), a theme
 underscored by the use of (literary
 element). This is especially evident in
 (list at least 3 general examples here).

Choice 4: Discuss the importance of Death
 as narrator. Why is this appropriate and
 significant in relation to the novel’s
 themes?

Pattern: In Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief,
 Death is an appropriate narrator. Not only
 does he (give reason why), but his
 commentary highlights the themes of
 (theme 1) and (theme 2).

STEP 3: Writing an Introduction
An Intro MUST contain (in this order):
1. Attention-getting lead that
  transitions/connects into …
2. BRIEF, (1-2 sentences!) sweeping
  summary with author name and title of
  novel (italicized)
3. Thesis statement and 3 thesis points

Attention-getting lead can be any of the
following:
* Quote from the novel (with page # citation)
* Quote that relates to your thesis from outside of
  the novel (keep track of source info)
* Thought-provoking statement
* Statistic or fact related to thesis (keep track of
  source info)
* Description

Not allowed for this essay:
question lead, dictionary definition lead

What is a sweeping summary?
*Sweeping summary = author + title + character +
  change

• SAMPLE SWEEPING SUMMARY: In Markus Zusak’s
  The Book Thief, Hans’ compassionate instinct overrides
  the evil influence pushed by the Nazis. Rather, his
  simple acts of kindness influence those around him to
  follow suit.

*Keep summary brief, and very general (1-2 sentences
  tops). What, in essence, is the book about? Be sure
  it fits well with whatever else your intro contains.
  Avoid repetition with your thesis statement.

Putting it all together…
English theologian Frederick William Robertson once
noted that “the one who in trial will be capable of great
acts of love is ever the one doing considerate small
ones” (“Inspirational Quotes”). In Markus Zusak’s The
Book Thief, these words ring true through the character
of Hans, whose compassionate instinct overrides the evil
influence pushed by the Nazis. Rather, his simple acts of
kindness influence those around him to follow suit. In the
novel, Hans exemplifies this theme of compassion
through his treatment of his foster daughter Liesel, his
accordion playing, and his willingness to help the
persecuted Jews.

Step 4: Topic sentences
• Your 3 thesis points become your 3
  topic sentences for separate body
  paragraphs.

• Based on my example, what would be the
  topic sentences for my first, second, and
  third body paragraphs?

• First topic sentence: Hans demonstrates
  compassion through his gentle,
  understanding treatment of Liesel, his
  foster child.

• (In the paragraph that follows I provide 1-2
  specific examples--quoting passages
  along with the page numbers--from the
  novel that show this to be true.)

• Second topic sentence: Another way
  Hans’ compassion is evident is through his
  accordion playing, which he takes to the
  Amper River.

• (In the paragraph that follows I provide 1-2
  specific examples--quoting passages
  along with the page numbers--from the
  novel that show this to be true.)

• Third topic sentence: Finally, Hans
  shows compassion through his willingness
  to help Jews being persecuted by the
  Nazis.

• (In the paragraph that follows I provide 1-2
  specific examples--quoting passages
  along with the page numbers--from the
  novel that show this to be true.)

• After writing your own topic sentences,
  record them in the graphic organizer. Next,
  use your notes and your novel to find at
  least 2 examples that relate to and prove
  each thesis point/topic sentence.

• Yes, this does take effort and time. Start
  by thinking of events that fit your points.

• Ask for help if you really can’t find what
  you are looking for.

Step 5: Graphic Organizer
Thesis          Passage:         Page: Answer: Context &
point:          “They made       71    Importance: Takes
Another way     their way              place early in the novel
                back to the            when Hans and Liesel
Hans’           Amper River.           take a walk together. As
compassion      It worked it’s         he plays, he has a
is evident is   way past,              “perplexed expression
through his     pointing in            on his face.” This is
accordion       the direction          because he plays in
                of Dachau,             hopes that the prisoners
playing,        the                    at Dachau can hear and
which he        concentration          that he will bring some
takes to the    camp… Hans             light to their dark lives.
Amper River.    pulled out the         It’s a small act of
                accordion …”           kindness.