The Book Thief Death Quotes

Death

Quote 52

In the beginning, it was the profanity that made an immediate impact. It was so vehement and prolific. Every other word was either Saumensch or Saukerl or Arschloch (6.14)

Death explains to us that sau means a pig. Saumensch is an insult for women, Saukerl is an insult for men. Arschloch is "asshole" (6.14). These terms become terms of endearment between the characters as the novel progresses.

Death

Quote 53

Not leaving: an act of trust and love, often deciphered by children. (7.8)

Death tells us that this is a definition that isn't found in the dictionaries. As we see when we get into the Duden Dictionary sections of the novel, it's sometimes hard to find the right words to express what we see and feel.

Death

Quote 54

The world talked it over. Newspaper headlines reveled in it. The Führer's voice roared from German radios. We will not give up. We will not rest. We will be victorious. Our time has come. (12.6-8)

This refers to Hitler's invasion of Poland in 1939. We put it under this theme because it points to the importance of communication technology to the Nazis' techniques.