In "The Book Thief" character development links with the creation and development of a relationship, especially with Liesel, Rudy and Max. We find how much Liesel has changed when Death says 'Sometimes she sat against the wall, longing for the warm finger of paint to wander just once more down the side of her nose, or to watch the …show more content…
Zuzak proves the basement is an important symbol in “The Book Thief” when he says 'Apart from everything else, the book thief wanted desperately to go back to the basement, to write, or to read through her story one last time. In hindsight, I see it so obviously on her face. She was dying for it-the safety of it, the home of it-but she could not move. Also, the basement didn't even exist anymore. It was part of the mangled landscape.' (Page 13) The basement is an important symbol in “The Book Thief” because that is where she feels the safest. She connected with Papa and learned how to read there. She made a great friendship with Max there. She wrote her first book there. Finally, that basement ended up saving her. The basement symbolizes safety. Another significant symbol in "The Book Thief" is the accordion. I know this because the book Liesel had written said "Papa sat with me tonight. He brought the accordion down and sat close to where Max used to sit. I often look at his fingers and face when he plays. The accordion breathes. There are lines on his cheeks. They look drawn on, and for some reason, when I see them, I want to cry. It is not for any sadness or pride. I just like the way they move and change. Sometimes I think my Papa is an accordion. When he looks at me and smiles and breaths, I hear the notes." (Page 527) The accordion symbolizes Hans-her father. Hans uses the accordion to distract Liesel from the bad times and give her comfort and hope. Liesel and her mother hold the accordion when Hans is away at war and Liesel mentions throughout the end how her Papa is an accordion. Her father created a relationship with Liesel using the accordion. Finally, I knew that books were going to be huge symbol in Liesel's life when Death said 'The book thief had struck for the first time-the beginning of an