Introduction
Lead
Words have great power and when used correctly can influence what people believe and how they act.
Thesis
In Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief, many characters develop an understanding of the power of words throughout out the novel which results in characters being negatively impacted.
P.O.D.
Characters that are negatively affected by the strength that words carry include Liesel, Hans and Rudy.
Concluding Sentence
Liesel is an example of a character that is negatively impacted by the power of words.
Body Paragraph 1
Topic Sentence 1
Liesel’s slow development of the power of words causes her to experience the negative effects of words and misery on many occasions throughout her lifetime.
Point 1a
Liesel is abandoned by her mother at a young age.
Proof 1a
“’Is my mother a communist?’ Staring. Straight ahead. ‘They were always asking her things, before I came here.’ … ‘Did the Fuhrer take her away?’ … ‘I knew it.’ The words were thrown at the steps and Liesel could feel the slush of anger stirring hotly in her stomach. ‘I hate the Fuhrer’ she said. ‘I hate him.’” (115)
Explanation 1a
Liesel’s mom leaves her with foster parents because she wishes to protect her from the fate she is enduring. The words Paula, Liesel’s mom, uses go against Hitler which resulted in her being taken away and Liesel to lose her mother and experience the loss of her. This shows Liesel experiences unhappiness because of the words her mother uses and Liesel’s misunderstanding of her mother's actions.
Point 1b
Liesel’ classmates make fun of her because of her lack of reading skills.
Proof 1b
“’Hey Liesel,' he said to her, 'I'm having trouble with this word. Could you read it for me?’ He laughed- a ten- year-old smug...
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... unable to make a decision on his own and his parents made the one they thought was the best. Rudy would have been alive if Alex words have accepted the opportunity for the special school.
Concluding Sentence
Rudy’s lack of knowledge of the power words has caused him to be punished.
Conclusion
Opening Sentence
The power of words can influence what people believe and the actions people make.
Restate Thesis
Many characters in The Book Thief by Markus Zusak develop an understanding of the strength of power words possess throughout the book which causes them to be undesirably affected.
P.O.D
Liesel, Hans and Rudy are characters that are negatively impacted by the power of words.
Concluding Sentence
One may wonder since in The Book Thief many characters are negatively impacted by the power of words if characters are also positively impacted by the power of words.
Words have quite a powerful impact on an individual’s emotions which therefore affects how that individual views the world around them and themselves. Natasha Rodriguez explains this in her well-written article “Who Are You Calling Underprivileged?” The article explains how Rodriguez received a pamphlet from the college, she had applied for. This pamphlet was given to Rodriguez providing her with vital information about “Help for Underprivileged Students.” The college she was applying for was not aware of what Natasha Rodriguez financial situation was at the time because she had not sent any information to them about it yet which is the main reason why she wrote the article “Who Are You Calling Underprivileged?” She had received this information
Words have a way of changing the way we view the world. They can completely alter our perception of what is true and what is false. Take the tale of Skidmore and Manchester, as dictated in the story ‘The Curse of the Poisoned Pretzel.’ The way the author portrays the character of Skidmore shows just how easily words can change how we see someone by making you believe that Skidmore is guilty of his brother‘s murder, without ever formally saying so.
The mighty river flows through the mountains with liquidity and nurture providing life for all those who wish to take a sip from it. Yet the river is powerful in its own force destroying even the largest rocks, crumbling them into small pieces. People may be able to stop the river for a short time or even dry it up but the water always comes back in one form or another, every dam is bound to fail. Some people have been able to harness the power of the river, redirecting the mighty water making it flow in constructive ways. Similar to the river, language is influential. Its true power is not seen by the naked eye but by those who study it, those who use it as their ally in a war of linguistics. In Martin Luther King Jr.’s letter, Birmingham City Jail he is able to use all three rhetorical appeals to prove that demonstrations lead to negotiations and benefit for both sides of an argument.
Words are powerful things. They can be used to construct or destruct. In the novel Black Boy, Richard Wright discovers this fact after reading inspirational works written by a man named Mencken. It is at this point in his life where he understands the importance of words. Wright qualifies the idea that language is an important key to identity and social acceptance using figures of speech and warrants.
The power of words can influence many people which results in many characters to be negatively impacted like Liesel.
Words have the power to affect people in many ways from empowerment or to taking upon action. Words are able to make huge changes in the lives of many and can make good or bad changes. In history, people used words in both good and bad function from making a promise to a nation or even manipulating multitudes of people within a nation. Words definitely have the ability to take situations a far distance but despite the fact that evil can manipulate the majority of people, individuals too can realize the true actions and evil buried inside the perpetrator. People can be both ugly and beautiful at sometimes with weapons along their sides. A novel called The Book Thief illustrates the power of words in a multitude of ways, showing the potential
Many people believe verbal communication to be a very powerful way of expressing oneself. Words gain there power when the volume is raised and lowered alternatively to make a point. Additionally, the influence of speech can manifest itself in a number of ways. It can be used to humiliate, to intimidate, to flirt and to threaten, all of which are integral and pragmatic strategies to win a power struggle.
Read, Andrew. “As if word magic had anything to do with the courage it took to be a man”:
There is an old saying that plays something to the tune of, "sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me." It is possible that such a phrase was popularized in order for people to equip themselves with a psychological defense against the reality that words can, in fact, have a tremendous amount of significance depending on their usage and context. The careful manipulation of language in essays, for example, is one way that words can be arranged and exploited. This is a tool that authors will often use to reach a specific audience.
“I have hated the words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right.” (Zusak 528) Words and the power they possess is a common theme that is heavily mentioned throughout the novel The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Throughout this book, rhetoric affects multiple characters in both positive and negative ways. There are instances in this book in which one can see how words have the ability to tear people down, educate and inform, and to inspire individuals to follow their dreams.
The central aspiration of any literary work is to captivate the reader and immerse them in the vastness of their imagination. An author is able to establish a deeper connection between the reader and the text through the incorporation of various literary elements. Markus Zusak, author of The Book Thief, uses many aspects of literature to shape the novel and exquisitely portray the events of the story. The imaginative and unique use of elements such as irony, foreshadowing, and point of view certainly contribute to the grandeur of this book.
...at the power of words entailed in the novel, The Book Thief, words really are very powerful. Three examples were given above as a few powers that the novel captured throughout the story. Words can manipulate and divide people, but at the same time connect people. Despite the fact that words have so many contradicting powers, one can use the words to their full extent when their intent is moral. In fact, words are meaningless if it doesn’t have an impact on an individual, society, or world. Words can do both good and bad, however, if one uses them in a proper way, it can result in a positive statement for our world. The novel gives the readers the lesson that we should comprehend the power of words and use words in a moral way. Just remember this: “I have hated the words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right.” (pg. 413)
As time evolves, so do the words that are essential for our everyday survival. The most obvious difference between humans and animals is our ability to master the art of speech. Often, people will say the “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”, a simple nursery rhyme that helps ease a bullied child from abusive words and taunts. But does that really help cure the emotional pain? Words can illuminate and motivate the minds of people but can also shadow their self-esteem through psychological trauma. In The Book Thief, we see how fundamental words were to shape the reality of millions of people caught in the fire of World War II.
Words have been the only constant throughout history; the one thing that has tied men and women from different time periods and different cultures. The greatest and most inspiring people have all used words to plant the seeds of something new; on the other hand, it is not a well-kept secret. Dictators and undeserving leaders know the power of words. Markus Zusak tried to share to the world how powerful one word could be. One word could spark friendship while many words could transcend into hatred. While words can impact different messages to different people, each one is inevitably connected to the next. A word that has power receives its power from the influence it collects from the people who choose to listen; the words can either hurt or heal the audience and the outcome is reflected in the influence.
For some people, they think that words are more significant than the actions. Although, the words can express and influence someone expressions, feelings and thoughts, yet, it is only the reflection of the action (Mina, 2012). Sometimes words are lies, they do not give any effect or impact. Words mean little and cannot be seen or proven if no actions are taken.