Loss Of Loved Ones In Harry Potter And The Book Thief

In J.K Rowling’s novel Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and Mark Zusak’s novel The Book Thief, memories are a determining factor in the actions and choices of characters, specifically in ethical and moral situations. Moreover, the grief associated with the loss of loved ones are significant in character’s choices. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and The Book Thief, both offer examples of main characters whose ethical and moral decisions are at some point determined by the memories and beliefs of their loved ones. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Harry’s actions are solely determined by the memories and beliefs of his lost loves ones, specifically Albus Dumbledore. Subsequently, in The Book Thief, Liesel Meminger’s actions in

In The Book Thief, readers first come across Liesel Meminger on the train to Molching. Already in this scene Liesel is in an upsetting circumstance. She is being taken away from her family and being sent to a foster home in a new town. On top of this already displeasing circumstance, Liesel is distraught with the loss of her younger brother, Werner. After this incident, the novel depicts Liesel after the unfortunate burial of her brother. “Perhaps ten meters to my left, the pale, empty-stomached girl was standing, frost stricken. Her mouth jittered. Her cold arms were folded. Tears were frozen to the book thief’s face” (Zusak, 8). Already at the young age of ten, Liesel Meminger has experienced the death of a loved one which consequently affects her decision making process. Similarly, Harry Potter in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows also suffers the loss of another loved one at the beginning of the novel. Harry has already lost so many significant individuals in his life; however, the loss of Albus Dumbledore is incredibly painful to Harry as Albus Dumbledore was one of the last father figures in Harry’s life. At the beginning of the novel, the reader is introduced to Harry packing for the arrival of his friends to number 4 Privet Drive. “In a front pocket [of his rucksack] were the Marauder’s Map and the locket with the note signed ‘R.A.B.’ inside it. The locked was accorded this place of honour not because it was valuable- in all usual senses it was worthless- but of what it had cost to attain it” (Rowling, 21). This exert tells the reader that the excursion needed to retrieve this locket cost more than Harry could bear: the loss of his mentor Albus Dumbledore. Correspondingly to Liesel, Harry had witnessed the death of his loved one, which ultimately affects the choices he makes. As such, the reader