...novel The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, it is evident that books, reading, and words themselves represent power for different characters in different ways. Close analysis of Liesel Meminger and Max Vandenburg reveals that power can be achieved through literacy in a context where literacy is severely limited. Literacy plays a major role in Liesel’s adolescence. Liesel obtains power through literacy as it gives her a sense of comfort and control. The act of reading and writing gives Liesel the strength to cope with and heal from her emotional trauma. Reading and finishing the book The Gravedigger’s Handbook helps Liesel find the courage to move on from the loss of her brother. Although Liesel does not yet know how to read when she arrives at the Hubermann’s on Himmel Street, she keeps the book to comfort her, as it is the last object she has relating to her brother. When papa and Liesel finish reading the book, Liesel “trot[s] out, involuntarily” (Zusak 87) by explaining to Hans that her brother’s name “‘was Werner’” (87). The act of Liesel’s words being spoken involuntarily suggests that “she is finding some freedom in the effects of her disturbing experiences” (Lee 14). Liesel does not have to force herself to speak to Hans about her brother as she has gained emotional stability. Additionally, literacy helps Liesel recover from her distress as Hans reads to her nightly. Hans reads to Liesel “to soothe her, to love her” (Zusak 36). Hans’ spoken words from the books and his mollifying...
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...words are the most controlling force in the universe. They can be utilized in many ways, gracious or crude. Nevertheless, words can have a major effect on an individual level, in addition to on society as a whole. Throughout The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, he thoroughly explores this idea. The reader of The Book Thief gets to experience Liesel mature and flourish alongside literature. Words play a big role within the life of Liesel Meminger, also in the lives of all individuals and societies on earth. The Book Thief takes place in Nazi Germany during the Holocaust. The holocaust was made possible by words, mentioned in the book that Max wrote for Liesel “The Word Shaker”. “The Word Shaker” explores the idea that Hitler uses purely words to take control of Germany. Hitler used words to manipulate a large amount of people into hating the Jewish people for irrational reasons. This is a superb example of how words alone can control human beings and their...
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...The character Hans Hubermann from The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, and the lyrics of “Everywhere You Look” sang by Wakefield, both displays that kindness can always be found, even in the worst of times. The Book Thief takes place in Nazi Germany, the era of torment and discrimination of Jews. It was a time “with clouds as mean as you’ve ever seen” (Wakefield). The sky was the color of death, as so many Jews were being killed and burned. The period was dominated by a population of people who had an animosity for Jews. Han Hubermann is a caring man, who in desperate times, isn’t persuaded to follow the Nazi ideals. In a society of prejudice, Hans is known as “the Jew painter...for painting Jewish houses” (Zusak 104). People who are kind towards...
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...novel and the film The Book Thief. She uses words to develop relationships with her foster father, Hans Hubermann; Max Vandenburg, the illicit Jew in her basement; and her neighbours. In the novel The Book Thief by Markus Zusak there is much more relationship development compared to the film The Book Thief directed by Brian Percival. This consequently causes the theme of the power of words to be less prominent in the film. The novel The Book Thief develops the relationship between Liesel Meminger and her neighbours more than the film The Book Thief therefore minimizing the theme. First, Liesel and Rudy become best friends, “Insane or not, Rudy was always destined to be Liesel’s best friend.” (Zusak 48). Rudy introduced himself to Liesel as soon as she moved in, he developed a liking for her and they soon become best friends. Rudy used his charming, and sometimes insulting, words to win over Liesel. This develops the theme because it shows that even if one does not want to like someone, their words can change them into a likable person. Second, Liesel and Frau Hermann develop a relationship, “When she came and stood with an impossibly frail steadfastness, she was holding a tower of books against her stomach, from her navel to the beginning of her breasts. She looked so vulnerable in the monstrous doorway. Long, light eyelashes and just the slightest tinge of expression. A suggestion.” (Zusak 133). Frau Hermann, the mayor’s wife, had seen Liesel steal a book after a large burning...
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...The author of ‘The book thief’, Markus Zusak and the novel ‘Night’ by Elie Wiesel explore the theme of death. They explore the theme of death in different ways but explore it at the same time in history with Nazi Germany. The novel ‘Night’ is looking from a Jews perspective of a survivor of the holocaust. In ‘The book thief’ the narrator is Death and he follows Liesel and her German family. Both explore the theme of death, with the death of he bother being used as a turning point in ‘the book thief’ for Liesel. Death in ‘Night’ is explored where it became normal to see dead bodies but all it shows the limit people go to avoid death. Death becomes a reality and a normal occurrence in Night with thousands of dying daily in Auschwitz. The theme of death is first introduced in the beginning of ‘The book thief’ as Death narrates the story. The first turning point for Liesel, the German girl that Death follows, starts with her brother dying where she steals a book. This first book will be the start of many that she steals. “With one eye open, one still in a dream, the book thief-also known as Liesel Meminger-could see without question that her younger brother, Werner, was...
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...Writing the literacy narrative was a very interesting experience. Not only did I learn more about how to implement sociological factors and bring in a second lens, but I also got the opportunity to write about a single event in detail. I would say that throughout the course of writing this narrative, I have enjoyed employing the five vivid senses the most. This holds true because I prefer writing in ways that have the capacity to evoke realistic feelings, much like Markus Zusak, the author of The Book Thief. Since this was the first time I have really written a narrative about an event related to reading and/or writing, it was difficult for me to even choose what to write about. Hence, I believe that the biggest challenge that came my way...
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...The Book Thief Comparison Essay Liesel Meminger is a smart girl who nearly loses everything she ever loved. On her way to her foster parent’s house her brother dies. Her mother leaves her with people she hardly even knows, but Liesel soon finds something to keep her occupied. She steals books. The first book she stole was a t her brother’s funeral and she stole or “borrowed” books from the mayor’s library. Just as things were becoming better for Liesel, something happened that would change her life forever. She has to help hide Max, a Jew who would be dead if it wasn’t for the Hubermann’s. She learns to love and care for Max, but he leaves to keep the Hubermann’s safe. Liesel finds more abandonment when an air raid goes off on Himmel Street and Rosa, Hans, and Rudy are all dead. Liesel is the only one to survive because she was in the basement writing her book. Through all of the abandonment in her life there was only one thing that was always there for her; books. The book and the movie The Book Thief have many similarities. One similarity is that in the book and the movie Rudy gets in trouble for pretending to be Jesse Owens. He gets in trouble because he shouldn't want to be someone who is black and he never will be black. Another similarity between the book and the movie is that Liesel gets I trouble for saying that she hates Hitler. Hans doesn't care that she hates Hitler, but in Germany at this time everyone was supposed to be for Hitler. Lastly, in the book...
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...Essay: Loss Loss is a theme that is developed throughout the book. Everyone suffers loss in the book. At the beginning of the book, Liesel, her mother, and her brother are traveling to Munich. While her mother is sleeping, Liesel watches her brother die. Death takes her brother’s soul away in front of Liesel’s eyes. Her brother is buried and that is where Liesel steals her first book. After that, Liesel is given away to foster parents, Hans and Rosa. She also loses her mother during the situation. When Liesel starts school, she does not know how to read. When she stands up in front of the class to read, she can’t. That is why she remembers a section from The Grave Digger’s Handbook. She memorized and read that. However, her teacher did not fall for it so she gave Liesel a beating. After that, Ludwig Schmeikl taunts Liesel about how stupid she is. She loses her dignity at that point. However, she takes out her anger on Tommy because she loses her temper. Rosa made Liesel deliver laundry to Ilsa Hermann. While she is there, she finds out that Ilsa lost her son in World War I. He froze to death. In Max’s flashback, he loses many people. First, he loses his uncle and then he leaves his family. He finds out later that they are gone. When Hans gives bread to the older Jew, he regrets it. He put his family in danger and everyone loses Max. When Max leaves, Hans loses his optimism. He stopped playing the accordion and waits for his punishment. Eventually, Hans is drafted...
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...Cody Busa Mr. Volding English IV 13 February 2012 The Thief and the dogs Essay #2 Said is unable to accept a reality in which people treat others with kindness. Instead, he insists to see every interaction as a potential trap. Said’s initial interaction with Mr. Bazaya demonstrates his paranoia, hatred towards Illish and lack of rational judgment. Once again as Said converses with the Sheikh, he ignores the Sheikh’s advice and further demonstrates a lack of good judgment. Lastly, as Said receives viable work solutions from Rauf, he instead chooses to ignore him and return to a life of crime. Said lacks all forms of rational judgment, that then in turn cause him to lash out at those trying to help him, make poor personal decisions, and return to a life of crime. Said's insistence upon spurning the kind gestures of the people he interacts with demonstrates that he is an emotionally damaged character who's thoughts of revenge clouds rational judgment. Said's paranoia becomes revealed through his thoughts as he interacts with Mr. Bazaya. Said thinks that "So the bastard has friends. He'll know right away what all these greetings are about. You're probably peeking at us through the shutters now, Illish, hiding like a woman" (Mahfouz 16). Not only is there a sense of paranoia present in Said’s thoughts, but also his opinions of Illish are clearly presented as full of hatred. Illish’s betrayal of Said causes Said to seek revenge, which in turn results in his judgment...
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...In: Business and Management Mis Exam Chapter 01:An Introduction to Information Systems TRUE/FALSE 1. Information and data are essentially the same thing. ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 5 2. Computers are required to organize or process data. ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 7 3. Using a computer to forecast future sales and order more inventory before a shortage can occur is an example of information system feedback. ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 12 4. A CBIS is a single set of hardware, software, databases, telecommunications, people, and procedures configured to collect, manipulate, store, and process data into information. ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 12 5. The technology infrastructure is a set of shared IS resources that form the foundation of each computer-based information system. ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 12 6. Today’s more advanced processor chips have the power of 1990s-era supercomputers. ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 13 7. Teraflops is a measure of computer storage capacity. ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 13 8. Application software such as Windows Vista and Windows Seven control basic computer operations such as start-up and printing. ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 14 9. Software is needed for computers of all sizes from cell phones and small hand held devices to the largest supercomputers. ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 14 10. Private cloud computing applications are available to everyone. ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 15 11. Information about the documents on the Web and access to these documents are controlled...
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...McGeady 14 October 2014 ENG 121-020 Essay #2 Nothing To Be Done The play Waiting For Godot by Samuel Beckett engages the idea of what it means to be human and how meaningless life can really be. Beckett uses literary techniques to show that human life is based on chance, time is meaningless, and that people will impose meaning on life to distract themselves from the fact that their situation is unalterable. The realization of this drives the characters to rely on outside forces, which may or may not be real, for order and direction. The basic proposition Beckett imposes in the play is that chance is the main factor behind existence and human life. Therefore life is determined by chance and there Is nothing Vladimir or Estragon can do that can influence their life. This is established when Vladimir alludes to the story of the two thieves from the Bible. "One is supposed to have been saved… and the other…damned” (Beckett 4). The idea of percentage is important because this represents how the fate of humanity is determined randomly and without any reason. There is a percentage chance that a person will be saved and sent to heaven or damned and sent to hell, taking away meaning of human life and simply categorizing people into those who are saved, and those who are damned. Vladimir continues by citing the fault in the Gospels on the story of the two thieves. "And yet…[pause]…how is it that of the four Evangelists only one speaks of a thief being saved. The four of them were there...
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...POWER OF WORDS ESSAY “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak expresses that words have a tremendous amount of power throughout the novel. Words express all of your feelings and emotions. The book was narrated by death who shared Liesel Meminger’s through feelings and emotions. Throughout the story we see Liesel’s roller coaster of a life. Although the novel was mainly about Liesel, other characters also had power through their words. Anyone can use words, but sometimes when the words are too powerful they can become hurtful. Liesel gets frustrated near the middle of the book and screams at Frau Hermann for not being able to pay for the washing anymore: “It’s about time that you do your own stinking washing anyway. It’s about time that you faced the fact that your son is dead. He got killed! He got strangled and cut up more than twenty years ago. Or did he freeze to death? Either way, he’s dead! He’s dead and it’s pathetic that you sit here shivering in your own house to suffer for it. You think you’re the only one?” (Zusak 262). Liesel had lost her brother on her way to Molching. Yelling at the mayor’s wife could have been a way that Liesel finally releases from stress from...
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...TERM PAPER COMPARATIVE POLITICS By PRAKASH BHANDARI {SAU/IR (M)/2015/O8} Submitted to: Prof. Siddharth Mallavarapu Date of submission: 02/11/2015 Word Count: 3520 approx. (excluding bibliography) Table of contents S.No. | Title | Page no. | I. | AbstractIntroduction | 3 3 | 1. | Satyajit Ray: The Master Storyteller: | 4 | 2. | Maqbool Fida Husain | 6 | 3. | Arundhati Roy: | 8 | III. | Conclusion | 10 | Abstract: Basically, before the 20th century, the study of the politics was shaped by history, ethics, philosophy, and law, but from the late 19th century onwards, scientific approach to study politics gradually emerged. Comparative politics, in my view, do not study and analyze big issues of politics only. It also provides us the stage to study and analyze the political, social and economic situation of a particular society or state from the lens of art, literature, cinema, dramas, etc. Not only that, art and literature are the mirror of the society, so to understand particular society and political system, studying and analyzing art, literature is important. Being a student of comparative politics, here I have a good opportunity to study and compare three distinct images of a particular society. In this term paper, I am going to study three distinct pillars of Indian art and literature, which represent three different images and ideas. Satyajit Ray, MF Husain, and Arundhati Roy are an Indian film director, painter, and writer respectively...
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...Spike Jonze and Hollywood’s Tug-of-War “The other day, I was lucky enough to be at an event to bring the arts back into schools and got to see an amazing collaboration between Yo-Yo Ma and a young dancer in LA, Lil Buck. Someone who knows Yo-Yo Ma had seen Lil Buck on YouTube and put them together. The dancing is Lil Buck's own creation and unlike anything I've seen. Hope you enjoy.” This is the preface given by Spike Jonze, to a video he filmed in April of 2011. In this video, an L.A. street dancer named Lil Buck performs a style of dance, which is commonly referred to as “gangster walking”, while classical musician Yo-Yo Ma accompanies him on the cello. The performance cannot be compared to anything else – the blend of street dancing and classical music is truly a unique combination. It’s a combination that we don’t see in everyday life, a distortion of reality – which is most likely why Jonze was drawn to the idea. From his early days as a music video director and all throughout his career, Spike Jonze has had a penchant for escaping the confines of reality. From one of his earliest music videos, which plays in reverse, to films like Being John Malkovich and Where the Wild Things Are, in which he literally brings the viewer in to a new reality. This distortion of reality is a mirror of Spike’s obsession with straying from convention, in narrative and filmmaking technique. While Spike and his characters may seek to escape the confines of reality, what they are really seeking...
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...To what extent does Disney’s presentation of the Aladdin legend reflect and present the ruling class ideology? In this essay I will be focusing on the ruling class ideology that is shown frequently in the Disney version of Aladdin. I will discuss the relevance of Jafar, the power and reputation of the Genie and the beauty of Jasmine who Aladdin feels he himself doesn’t deserve. The other concepts that I will briefly touch upon is the false class consciousness theory, this is where the proletariats don’t know they are being exploited by the bourgeoisie. Also, I will explore ruling class exploitation; this is where the ruling class take advantage of the working class for their own personal gain. Throughout the whole of the story a ruling class ideology is very apparent, and towards the start of the book it starts to represent Aladdin as a ‘thief’ and a character that may have been this way his whole life. You could say that throughout the story, he is trying to break sociological norm and make his way to the top of society. Members of a lower class of society truly believe that they can’t make it to the top, and in truth this isn’t correct. Members of the Bourgeoisie sell us a pipe dream and would say that they have every right to get to the top, but the lower class suffer from false class consciousness and through social aspects such as media, sport and religion this consciousness is reflected in a capitalist view. The working class feel that they have to have done something...
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