The Book Theif - Rosa Hubermann

Family;

Rosa is initially viewed by both Liesel and the reader as harsh and rude when she calls Liesel a “filthy pig”. But shortly after this she exposes her softer side when she “gave her (Liesel) an enormous, injury-inducing hug.” During this key moment Rosa portrays both her harsh side and her caring side which shows the reader that she has two sides to her personality.

Personality;

She’s unapologetic and honest, she speaks her mind and she doesn’t sugarcoat. Rosa doesn’t care how anyone responds. When Liesel arrive on Himmel Street and was met by Rosa’s rage; “What are you assholes looking at?” Rosa Hubermann, Page 29.

Peers/Ones Around Her;

Rosa has the ability to light up a room no matter who’s in it, the light may not always be positive but it's there. She has a very lively personality, she brings the best out in people without letting them know that she is doing so. She is loud in every aspect; thinking, speaking even her actions. When Frau Holtzapfel, spits on their door every chance she gets, Rosa spares no chance to complain about it. It fills the household with life and brings colour to it.

Significance;

Without Rosa’s constant remarks throughout the story it would have been dulled out by the chaos of war. One of the many reasons Liesel “escaped” war was because of the lightheartedness of these remarks. If not for them, the book wouldn’t be as engaging.

Connections;

Being around people who just fill the room up with their personalities is so radiating that you can’t help absorb it. Some of my friends are similar to Rosa and her personality. Remarks and innuendos bring colour to the dullness of a classroom.

Family;

Rosa loved and cared for her little family a lot. Even when her Saukerl of a husband brought home a Jew to hide in their basement. Rosa was there for her family in times of need and distraught, although her need to comment on everything with her snarky remarks got in the way, she was always ready to lend a helping hand. She may not know how to show her love but she knew how to convey it in different ways.

Personality;

Rosa doesn't show her love openly, she is a bit abrasive and insulting, both to Liesel and Hans. However, she lays her love out in more practical ways. She always makes sure they are fed and taken care of, even in the most dire of circumstances. She protects them and takes care of Max, and other Jews who mean so much to Liesel and Hans.

Peers/Ones Around Her;

Rosa can’t tell her family that she loves them, she sure can’t tell her friends or anyone else for that matter. Not to emphasize the fact that she doesn't have many friends because of her mean demeanor. She has always come off as a strong and bold character, not to mention that literally almost everyone was afraid of her. When Hans goes off to war, the true identity of Rosa is revealed. She was always calling Hans names when he was with them, but when he was away, she missed him dearly. Liesel sneaks down in the middle of the night and saw that Rosa Hubermann was sitting on the edge of the bed with her husband’s accordion tied to her chest. In this moment, the tough, mean walls of Rosa fall down. Rosa hugs the accordion because to her, the accordion represents her husband, and she needs him close to her. This is Rosa’s most vulnerable state, which she hides from the world in fear of being hurt.

Significance;

The significance of Rosa having two different sides, implies that there are always two sides of the story. One side Rosa shows the world; the mean cardboard lady and the vulnerable kind lady who is seen in the book only a few times. This creates a connection between the reader and the characters in the book. Seeing their different perspectives on the different events taking place, paints a more vivid picture.

Connections;

There is always two sides to anything, one side you show the world and another you show when you’re most vulnerable. Each side sees different faces. For example, the side of a celebrity in front of paparazzi and the face in front of their friends and family.

Family;

“She possessed the unique ability to aggravate anyone she ever met.” Death, Page 35 on ‘Some facts about Rosa Hubermann’. As seen in the book, Rosa is constantly nagging and scolding Liesel in efforts to discipline her. She aggravates her neighbours by her snarky attitude, her husband by informing him that she knows best and overall just being a big know it all.

Personality;

The two sides of Rosa Hubermann help shape the story and Liesel's character. Rosa's harsh personality is a result of her love and care for Liesel. She only wants the best for her foster daughter and feels that being harsh and hard on Liesel will help her later in her life. She aggravates everyone around her because it is the only way she knows how to truly show them that she cares. Rosa is a very strong built character.

Peers/Ones Around Her;

"But she did love Liesel Meminger. Her way of showing it just happened to be strange." Death about Rosa Hubermann, Page 35. Rosa wasn't the nicest person, even to those she loved, she often told them off. There was never really change for Rosa throughout the book; from the front cover to the back cover, she was a harsh woman, but she still loved her little family. Even loved and cared for Max when he came to their house. The reader can see a lot of the things that Rosa goes through in her life through this book, including her struggles, her sadness and even her happiest moments.

Significance;

Rosa’s character drives Liesel’s to grow, she learns to flourish as an individual and find beauty in the darkest of places. She learns that not all love is kind, love is tough and it teaches you the importance of self growth. This pushed Liesel to start reading.

Connections;

A mother daughter relation will always be difficult, Rosa doesn’t understand anything outside the borders of tough love and Liesel yearns for it otherwise. Although Hans does make up for the remarks, that is not always the case. Misunderstanding can create barriers between any relationship and without communication, everything can fall through.