Liesels and Papa's Conversation at the Church

"Against all hopelessness, Liesel still checked the mailbox each afternoon, throughout March and well into April. This was despite the a Hans-requested visit from Frau Heinrich, who explained to the Hubermanns that the foster care office had lost contact completely with Paula Meminger. Still, the girl persisted, and as you might expect, each day, when she searched the mail, there was nothing." (Zusak, 101)

For the Fuhrer's birthday in 1940, many things would had happened not only Liesel Meminger, but for Hans Hubbermann as well. When Hans Junior came home to celebrate Hitler's birthday a fight broke out between father and son. Hans Junior had the last words, "You coward," that was the last time they saw young Hans Junior. (Zusak, 105)

As for Liesel Meminger, she would get ready in her Hitler Youth uniform and Papa would walk her down to the BDM headquarters. "Speeches would be made. A fire would be lit. A book would be stolen." (Zusak, 107)

During the speeches, Liesels anxieties went up with one word. Communist. Memories of her family came back so clearly. She struggled to get to the edge of the crowd to vomit, but as the fire was lit, her attention flew somewhere else. She continued to fight her way out when a voice called her name. Ludwig Schmeikl was injured in the crowd, she brought him to the back of the crowd and sat him on the church steps. As the crowds depleted, Liesel sat and watched the clean up begin. That was until Hans Hubermann showed up. They sat and talked about what had happen and what was bothering Liesel. After finding out that it might have been Hitler who took her mother away, she spoke out of anger, "I knew it. I hate the Fuhrer. I hate him." (Zusak, 115)  What could Hans do? He slapped his daughter squarely in the face. Those were dangerous words. He knew that if anyone had heard her say that she would be taken away as well. They 'Heil Hitler.' And walked home. That was until The Book Thief strikes again.  

If you compare this moment to Christmas, when Hans Hubbermann traded his tobacco for two books.  Since he is so addicted to smoking, I think it's a great sacrifice to make his daughter happy. As for leadership, he makes sure that he takes care of Liesel, and that nothing bad will happen to her. That's why he slapped her outside the church. It wasn't to hurt her, but to protect her. Sacrifice and leadership apply in our own lives as something we do almost everyday. I, personally, sacrifice my spare time to watch my nephew, I sacrifice any extra time for school and studying. I use leadership to make good use of my time.

Works Cited

Zusak, Markus. The Book Thief. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005. Print.