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How Is Propaganda Used In The Book Thief

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The film The Book Thief follows a young German girl, Liesel in the 1940s during Hitlers reign. Throughout the film we see Liesel learn to read and write after being adopted into a German family household from her communist background. Liesel begins to discover the power of words. The film describes Hitler's use of words and his ability to brainwash Germany and urge all German citizens to turn against Jews. This film relates to my theme of power, specifically propaganda.
Words and stories are valuable in this film, the power of words suggests that they are among the most powerful ways in which people connect and potentially control one another. Words hold a strong power to compel people to commit acts of cruelty for example threats even persuasion are among these techniques that can be used. Numerous examples of the ways words connect people are shown throughout this movie for example when Liesel reaches out to her birth mother through a letter, Hans (her …show more content…
During this time the Nazis burned books to keep people away from certain ideas, as if those ideas would spread and the people would start to believe in these ideas. The Nazis were scared of those ideas and what effect the words could have on Hitlers control over people, for example the one in the book Liesel steals that a Jew could be a hero, because of the fact they could undermine the Nazi beliefs and ultimately the governments control over Germany. Liesel and all the other German kids and adults were forced to sing and celebrate the book burnings. Kids were made to say offensive words about Jews without realising what they were saying or how powerful the words were. Liesel says she hates Hitler, “I hate Hitler!” and Hans her father, worried about what would happen to Liesel if she says those words again, slaps her and makes sure that she would never say it again. Hans forces Liesel to perform a Nazi salute and to say "Heil

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