Representation of Holocaust History in Markus Zusak's The Book Thief

Abstract

This present research focuses on the issues of representation of Holocaust History in order to show the tale Holocaust setting, period of Second World War and narrativization of holocaust story in Zusak’s The Book Thief. Zusak continues to offer more historical explanations through the serious tone of Death. The irony of the character of Death being serious is prominent throughout the novel, especially when this is contrasted with the cruel realities of the war-torn world. Death is a narrater who narrates the story of Liesel’s especially in the setting of Second World War. Main protagonist Liesel who is victimized from Nazis, she loses her relatives in the Second World War. In books such as Zusak’s The Book Thief, stories unfold about courageous child protagonists who rise above the terror and torture of the Nazi regime in order to protect the ones they love and the religion, culture, and society for which they stand. The message of hope and defiance is an honorable one, and yet it raises the question of whether or not such a message is appropriate. Drowing upon the notion of Foucault and Louis Montrose, this research proves The Book Thief represents holocaust history.