The Gravedigger's Handbook
The Gravedigger's Handbook is exactly what it sounds like, a handbook teaching
you how to dig the perfect graves. This was the first book that Liesel steals,
and also the first one she reads. As with all her books, this one has a
bittersweet story behind it. It is bitter as she stole this book from the snowy
graveyard of her little brother Werner. It is her only substantial memory of
her brother, and mother, whom she is not able to see again after that gloomy January
day in 1939. “She had hid her last link to him- The Grave Diggers Handbook- under her mattress, and occasionally
she would pull it out and hold it” (38.) The book denotes her brother, as it is
written that “she would pull it out and hold it.” We can see the resemblance as
Liesel is somehow hugging and connecting with her brother through the book when
she holds it. This book also symbolizes a great loss, a great sorrow, and her
feelings of abandonment. It represents the end of one phase in her life, and
the beginning of another.
The Gravedigger's Handbook also has some very positive associations for Liesel. Along with marking her transformation from uneducated to literate, it also represents Hans and the beginning of Liesel's loving relationship with him. “Is this yours?” (43) was the first question Hans asked Liesel the night Hans finds The Grave Digger's Handbook. He turned the embarrassment of wetting the bed and finding an odd book into a life changing opportunity for them both. Hans’ discovery of the book inspired all their reading and writing lessons. Hence, The Gravedigger's Handbook represents a great sadness loss, great friendship and signifies Liesel’s entry into literacy.
The Gravedigger's Handbook also helps Liesel become "the heavy weight champion of the school-yard"(50). When she is not able to recite a passage from the book in class, Liesel gets mocked. Overwhelmed, she turns into a bully for a split second. She even turns her rage on innocent Tommy Muller, and to Ludwig Shmeikl. In fact, she almost kills Ludwig! While walking back home with Rudy, Liesel confesses that her reaction was driven by all the humiliation and loss she has been experiencing, particularly by the loss of her sibling. This realization helped her to not fall into violent and bullying ways. This would be easy to do in an atmosphere where violence and bullying are the norm.
The Gravedigger's Handbook also has some very positive associations for Liesel. Along with marking her transformation from uneducated to literate, it also represents Hans and the beginning of Liesel's loving relationship with him. “Is this yours?” (43) was the first question Hans asked Liesel the night Hans finds The Grave Digger's Handbook. He turned the embarrassment of wetting the bed and finding an odd book into a life changing opportunity for them both. Hans’ discovery of the book inspired all their reading and writing lessons. Hence, The Gravedigger's Handbook represents a great sadness loss, great friendship and signifies Liesel’s entry into literacy.
The Gravedigger's Handbook also helps Liesel become "the heavy weight champion of the school-yard"(50). When she is not able to recite a passage from the book in class, Liesel gets mocked. Overwhelmed, she turns into a bully for a split second. She even turns her rage on innocent Tommy Muller, and to Ludwig Shmeikl. In fact, she almost kills Ludwig! While walking back home with Rudy, Liesel confesses that her reaction was driven by all the humiliation and loss she has been experiencing, particularly by the loss of her sibling. This realization helped her to not fall into violent and bullying ways. This would be easy to do in an atmosphere where violence and bullying are the norm.