The Book Thief

How would you characterize Death as he shows up in the novel. What are five adjectives thatvepitomize this character.

Also give an example of his commentary that illustrates each trait

Asked by
Last updated by aaron lee m #346171
Answers 3
Add Yours

Death

A metaphysical being, Death serves as the dryly cynical narrator of The Book Thief. Death's duty is to carry away the souls of the recently departed, which it has apparently done for millenia. In its line of work, Death tries to focus on colors as a way of distracting itself from the survivors of those who have died. Liesel's story is one of a handful of survivors' tales that Death remembers; in fact, Death retrieves the actual written autobiography of Liesel's life after the air raid at the end of the novel. Death is "haunted" by humans and unable to reconcile humanity's capacity for evil with humanity's capacity for good.

Source(s)

http://www.gradesaver.com/the-book-thief/study-guide/character-list/

Adjectives

inquisitive- He often is interested in people and humanity.

confused- Death is often confused why people do the things they do.

tired- I always got the feeling Death was tired and weary from working overtime during WW2

objective- Death tried to remain objective about his job.

A metaphysical being, Death serves as the dryly cynical narrator of The Book Thief. Death's duty is to carry away the souls of the recently departed, which it has apparently done for millenia. In its line of work, Death tries to focus on colors as a way of distracting itself from the survivors of those who have died. Liesel's story is one of a handful of survivors' tales that Death remembers; in fact, Death retrieves the actual written autobiography of Liesel's life after the air raid at the end of the novel. Death is "haunted" by humans and unable to reconcile humanity's capacity for evil with humanity's capacity for good.