Mein Kampf
The Way Home
-Though he knows the Nazi Party will never approve his application, Hans still seems strangely cheerful on his way home from the Nazi office in Molching. Why do you think this is?
The Mayor's Library
-In this section, we see far more of Ilsa Hermann, the mayor's wife. What do you make of her thus far? Do you think she is mad, like the rest of the town seems to think?
-Liesel's time in the library is nothing short of euphoric. Why do you think books mean so much to a girl who can barely read? Is there anything that gives you this same sense of euphoria?
-Why does Ilsa Hermann show Liesel the library? Why doesn't she tell anyone about the book Liesel stole?
The Attributes of Summer
-In this section, we discover that Ilsa Hermann's son froze to death during World War I and that she now torments herself by keeping her home ice cold. What do you make of this form of grief? Why do you think she tortures herself this way?
-Death states that it was "fitting that [Liesel] was discovering the power of words." Considering the states of things, how is this fitting?
-Also in this section, Rudy and Liesel join up with a gang of apple thieves. What effect do you think this thievery will have on either (or both) of them later on?
The Aryan Shopkeeper
-This section finishes up with the line "The day had been a great one, and Nazi Germany was a wonderous place." What irony, if any, do you find in this statement?
Tricksters
-Arthur Berg's brief appearance in this novel comes to an end in this chapter. What did you make of him? How do you think he will influence Rudy and Liesel later on in the book? What did you think of Death's small tribute to him?
-At the end of this section, Rudy and Liesel buy mixed candy from Frau Diller for a second time, only this time they have far more money. Death comments that "the framed Fuhrer looked proud of them." Again, is there any irony in this statement?