The Book Theif - Hans Hubermann

Family is very important to Hans Hubermann, so important he is willing to go against his beliefs to protect them. When Liesel Meminger, his foster daughter first arrived on Himmel Street, he welcomed her with open arms. He was kind and understanding unlike his wife Rosa Hubermann, who was furious at the loss of the allowance that would have come with Werner Meminger, whom was dead. As Liesel suffered from night terrors, Hans was there to comfort and console her by teaching her how to read. He did not judge her or think any less of her when he discovered she was illiterate. “To tell you the truth, I am not such a good reader myself.” Hans Hubermann, Page 65.

Hans’ personality was gentle yet strong. He cared deeply for the ones around him, the limits he was willing to go were endless. Although he did not agree with Hitler at all, he joined the Nazi party to keep his family safe. In the Hubermann household, Han’s was the rock, he grounded everyone in times of stress and need. When Liesel peed her bed, Hans was very calm and collected. He addressed the situation kindly and moved on; “First things first, now, let’s get this midnight class started”. Hans Hubermann, Page 65. This goes to show how Hans goes about his everyday life, he is so kind and patient, he knows what to do and how to act in every situations.

Hans Hubermann is a safety blanket to the ones around him. He provides comfort and security. For instance, he sold his tobacco to buy Liesel books, he gave something that was important to him for the happiness of his daughter. Hans contributes to the family’s income by completing more of the manual labor tasks such as painting houses and moving boxes. When Hans is sent away to war, both Liesel and Rosa miss him dearly for all that he did for them.

Without Han’s kindness and affection, the characters of the book would have been unbalanced. All of the dynamic personalities balance each other out, if Han’s was more of a loud, obnoxious character, the book would be more chaotic and the characters would be louder than the story itself. His personality also contributes to significant pieces of his loved ones, he taught Liesel how to read and write, and he taught Rosa how to love.

Hans is the ideal father figure; he is caring, loving and charamtic. I see my own father in him. Similar to how Han’s sold his tobacco for Liesel's books, my father immigrated from India to build himself from the ground up to lead a better lifestyle for himself and his family.

Helping individuals is a big part of what makes up Hans Hubermann. When he gave that weak old struggling Jew some bread Hans was a bold statement, turning against Hitler. Which resulted in him getting whipped on the streets of Himmel Street. He risked his dignity and well being for a struggling man he didn’t even know. That goes to show how much he would do for one of his loved ones.

Although Hans Hubermann would much rather spend his time and days playing his beloved accordion, he goes out and paints and does labour to contribute to the household income. He lends a helping hand whenever and wherever he can. He also came to soothe Liesel after her daily nightmare, as well as teaching her how to read even though he may not be perfect at it he taught her the importance of words.

If any of Hans Hubermann’s peers or clients need something, they know that Hans will do it for free or out of the kindness of his heart. Hans Hubermann is a very generous man, he gives and gives even though he does not himself have a lot. He sells tobacco to buy his daughter books, he gives bread to weak men, he takes in the son of a Jew and hides him in his basement.

If these acts of kindness were not displayed within the book, it would have continued to portray the image of all Germans hating Jews, The Book Thief gives an insight of first hand experience of life in Nazi Germany, this time not from an outsider's perspective but from an insiders. It also contributes to the theme of the book which is the power of words, which was gifted to Liesel through the kindness of Hans.

A fond memory of mine is my parents reading to me after their long busy days at work. Much like Hans and Liesel, my parents took time out of their day to sit down and bond with me.

When Max Vandenburg was brought into the Hubermann household, there was chaos. Hans Hubermann has stolen a Jew from his death. Everyone was panicking yet his calm nature was keeping them grounded. He paved a path for the plan set in place to hide the Jew. This shows that he is strong-willed in the toughest of times and is willing to take charge if necessary. “Alles gut, Liesel? Is everything good? As you can see, we have a visitor. He’ll sleep in here tonight.” Hans Hubermann, page 200. This shows that although the world was falling at its feet, Hans Hubermann was assuring his daughter that nothing was out of the ordinary in their house.

Even in his smallest gestures and acts Hans Hubermann is collected and calm. He is patient when repainting racist slurs over Jewish residences, when he is reading to his daughter after her nightmare, and when he is being called a “Jew lover” by his neighbours. All of these acts reflect on his personality in the sense that it makes him who he is. When everyone is against what he believes in, which is equality for all, he still stands with it loud and proud. It shows that no one can knock his strong-willed demeanor.

It is a well known that Hans Hubermann is a “Jew lover”. Indicating that ones that speak about him in such a manner are against his beliefs. This does not make Hans believe in his stance any less. He goes about his day without the worry of what others think of him. His strong-willed demeanor lets him continue advocating for the civil rights of the Jews.

If it weren’t for his strong willed demeanor, Hans wouldn't have taken in the son of a Jew. He would have turned into a Nazi and went against everything he stood for. Thus changing the entirety of the character’s personality, Hans would have been influenced very easily and would have no personality, becoming just another Nazi at war. Much rather taking away from the novel than adding to it, hence Hans does bring colour and life into the Hubermann household.

Much like Hans, it was very difficult for my father to leave all of his family in India behind, but his strong willed demeanor let him strive forward. Similar to how Hans leaves his family behind to serve in the war in order to protect them.