The Book Thief- Historical References

This book is set in Nazi Germany, in the late 1930s and early 1940s. For anyone who knows little about this time period, it was around the time of World War 2.  Knowing that this book takes place in Germany, there are many things you can conclude about life there.  For example, people were in severe economic distress and were often going hungry because of post-war issues.  Hitler in this time was gaining power because it gave the people hope, yet no one knew of the awful things to come.  

There are many different historical references in the book that I have come across in my reading so far.  On page 103, the book talks about how if you didn't show your flag to show that you were in favor of the Nazi Party, they would take you away.  "Earlier, there had been a minor calamity.  The Hubermanns could't fund their flag.  'They'll come for us,' Mama warned her husband.  'They'll come an take us away' They.  'We have to find it'" (Zusak 103)! This quote shows how worried Mama is over not being able to find their flag to show on Hitler's birthday.  Even though the family doesn't support him, they have to act like it because they fear their life.  

Another historical reference is on page 105 when it talks about Mein Kampf.  "With her three books standing upright on the table, as if in conversation, Liesel was silently mouthing the words as she read from one of them.  'And what trash is this girl reading?  She should be reading Mein Kampf'" (Zusak 105).  Mein Kampf is a book that Hitler wrote while in custody by the government, accused of treason.  The translation of this title is "My Struggle."  Here is a picture of the book that Hitler wrote.