Quote 61
The road of yellow stars. (8.43)
This refers to the now abandoned and forlorn Jewish section of Molching. If Liesel had arrived in Molching sooner, she would have witnessed the suffering of its previous residents as they were abused and then forcibly removed from their homes.
Quote 62
How could he show up and ask people to risk their lives for him? How could he be so selfish? (28.21)
Much of Max's psychological suffering involves guilt. As we note in the theme of "Criminality," Max can't take a non-criminal step, so long as he's in Germany. Plus, anyone who he makes contact with is an instant criminal. This takes an enormous toll on his psyche.
Quote 63
To live. Living was living. The price was guilt and shame. (35.19-21)
This theme is repeated over and over in the novel, by anyone who survives. Michael Holtzapfel's guilt over his brother's death (which he had nothing to do with) drives him to suicide.
Quote 64
The man did not breathe. He did not move. Yet, somehow, he traveled from the doorway to the bed and was under the covers. (33.13)
The passage does a lot to highlight Max's suffering. Two years hiding in dark sheds has made him an expert at the art of pretending not to exist.
Quote 65
The suffering faces of depleted men and women reached across to them, pleading not so much for help, but for an explanation. Just something to subdue this confusion. (58.35)
This passage suggest that human beings crave understanding even more than food. The situation of the Jews being marched to Dachau is unimaginable. They never in their wildest dreams thought it would come to this. If someone came to you and told you you'd soon be moved to a death camp, would you believe it?
Quote 66
They should have come by now and swept through the house, looking for any evidence of Jew loving or treason, but it appeared that Max had left for no reason at all. He could have been asleep in the basement or sketching in his book. (60.21)
Hans suffers a great deal for his bread-giving moment. And he sends Max away in vain. But really, how could he possibly have known they wouldn't come? In any case, Hans couldn't let Max stay to die. He couldn't take the chance.
Quote 67
On Munich Street, a boy and a girl were entwined. They were twisted and comfortless on the road. Together, they watched the humans disappear. (80.94-96)
Rudy has fought Liesel to keep her from chasing after Max, and has probably saved her life and Max's in the process. The scene is loaded with suffering for all involved.
Quote 68
At school, Rudy made a special point of seeking Liesel out during the breaks. He didn't care that others made noises about the new girl's stupidity. (8.47)
It takes courage not to care what people think. It seems to come naturally to Rudy. When he starts trying to impress the wrong people, it will take courage to deal with consequences.
Quote 69
In 1933, 90 percent of Germans showed unflinching support for Adolph Hitler. That leaves 10 percent who didn't. Hans Hubermann belonged to that ten percent. (10.9)
Scary statistic, especially for Hans and people like him. Do you think Death's figure is accurate? Where might you go to verify his information?
Quote 70
I just wish I was like Jesse Owens, Papa. (9.45)
Rudy's identification with people who Hitler despises, in this case, black people, is natural, not courageous. But, to maintain it as he grows older will take courage.
Quote 71
Look proud, he advised himself. You cannot look afraid. Read the book. Smile at it. It's a great book – the greatest book you've ever read. Come on, Max, you're only a few hours away. (26.6)
Max is making an ultimate voyage of courage. Imagine how he must feel, being in public after two years of hiding. Ironically, Hitler's book is the only thing between him and a complete freak-out. Courage usually includes some amount a fear.
Quote 72
Walter opened Mein Kampf and slid [the ticket] inside, next to the map he'd bought with the book itself. (26.11)
Walter is another courageous character, even though we don't get to know him. His courage in helping Max truly does save Max's life. It also takes courage for Max to go with him, leaving his family behind.
Quote 73
Max Vandenburg […] closed his eyes and drooped a little further into safety. The very idea of it was ludicrous, but he accepted it nonetheless. (30.5)
At this moment, Max is finally able to let go of his courage and do something kind of like relaxing.
Quote 74
She was a good woman for a crisis. (35.59)
Rosa is a courageous woman, even though she might seem an unlikely candidate for bravery when we first meet her.
Quote 75
He accumulated the loud, clumsy specks of saliva and tears as if they were lovely to his face, and more important, he was able to hold her down. (80.93)
It takes lots of courage for Rudy to stop Liesel from following Max and the other Jewish prisoners en route to Dachau. But, as is often the case with Rudy, the courage flows out of him naturally, like a stream of love.
Quote 76
In those camps, many people were still made to work, and walk. Max Vandenburg was one such Jew. (79.9)
It must have taken great courage for Max to survive Dachau. It's amazing that he survived after the incident with Liesel. We hope that after the war, he doesn't have to be quite so brave all the time.