The Book Thief Death Quotes

Death

Quote 37

He was not the junior misogynistic type of boy at all. (8.23)

Rudy is just too loveable. Misogyny, dislike of females, is a good character for any guy not too have, whatever the age. We like that this is part of his identity.

Death

Quote 38

He smeared the charcoal on, nice and thick, till he was covered in black. Even his hair received a once over. (9.5)

This is Rudy, getting ready to take on the identity of his idol, Jesse Owens, a black American who won four gold medals in the 1936 Olympics held in Germany. Hitler was not pleased with Owens' triumph, but Rudy definitely was. To Rudy, black is definitely beautiful. He's sees past the propaganda surrounding him even at a young age.

Death

Quote 39

Hang on a second, he was German. Or more to the point, he had been. (26.20)

The Nuremburg Laws were passed in 1933 and 1935. They stripped Jews of their German Citizenship and right to vote. Legally speaking, all Jews in Germany were in the country... illegally. This manipulation of the legal system was an integral part of the Nazi technique. Read more in "Setting."