City Of Thieves Fear Essay

Fear is believing that one is in a dangerous or life-threatening situation. There are many different reactions to the feeling of fear. David Benioff’s novel, City of Thieves, demonstrates the theme of fear through Lev and his experiences in wartime Russia. In the beginning, Lev deals with many emotional hurdles that are thrown his way. He is controlled by his fears. As the story develops, Lev is forced to handle his problems by the situations he is placed in. He begins to overcome his fears with the help of his friend, Kolya. By the end of the book, Lev conquers his fears and decides that he needs to be strong, even when things become difficult to handle. In the beginning of the book, Lev is faced with many emotional challenges. As these

He becomes less fearful as the story continues developing. Kolya and Lev attempt of fulfil the request of the colonel. The two must search for a dozen eggs and return them to the colonel for a wedding cake. As they journey on, they come across a couple who says that they have eggs in the apartment they own. Lev is forced to attack as the couple is discovered as cannibals. He is fearful, but he must take action anyway. Lev thinks, “The knife was in my hand before I realized I wanted it – something moved behind me and I wheeled and slashed, crying out, unable to form any words, throat constricted” (Benioff 59). Lev attempts to fight back against the cannibals even though he is afraid of being harmed or harming others. He must defend Kolya and himself. Through this action, he is attempting to overcome his fears. This connects to the literary device of irony. The reader expects Lev to flee the fight when the challenge arises. He does not attempt to escape, this is proof that he is overcoming his fears. As the story develops further, Lev begins to learn that he must defend what he loves. He must be able to stay and fight for those he cares about even when he finds it difficult to