Of all the novels I've read in my life, Death is definitely the most unique omniscient narrator to ever tell me a story. While no one has ever met Death, I feel that Zusak was able to capture the personality of what I assume Death would be like. He is experienced, witty, yet at the same time detached from his horrible fate of eternal life thats only filled with tears and darkness. Its perspective is that of someone who has seen the rise and fall of human kind, the tragic loss of every person, and both the terrible and beautiful sides of the human existence.
Death faces conflicts both internally and externally. Its conflict in this book is stated nearly immediately, when it says that he shouldn't have looked, shouldn't have taken an interest in Liesel, but he couldn't help himself. Death is surprisingly connected to the characters in the book, though it doesn't really fit in the job description. Its opinions on the Nazi regime and the wrath it brought unto the world are not directly expressed, but its comments show remorse for the victims of such tragedies. Death seems to see the hiding of Max as tragic, and seems to find hope in Liesel. It sees the foolishness in the blind obedience put forth by many Germans, and the promise in Hans Hubermann for not giving in.
I personally enjoy the perspective and experience Death brings to the novel. It has been able to see events in history even bloodier than World War II, which allows it to look beyond the shock of millions losing their lives and see human motivations and consider the importance of a young foster child growing up in the middle of all of it.
I think I pictured Death pretty much the same way you did, the same way the author did. However, I did picture him as a bit more detached and dulled to the concept of death. He does seem, surprisingly, to have a sense of the life and spirit attached to each soul he collects. I love his cynical narration and how it gives a bit of comedic relief in parts of the novel.
ReplyDeleteI definetely agree with your persepective on Death. I like how he is like an all knowing character narrator in the book, so it gives much more information about the story then if it were told by any other character in the book. I also agree with how it gives details about the past that we might not have been able to find out if it hadn't been death telling us the story. I was contemplating whether to pick Death for my blog, but choose not to because you already picked it.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if anyone else has read this far into the book yet, but i love the part where death purposefully steps on a picture of hitler. Anyway, i agree with the fact that death was a very interesting character. i loved how he used the descriptions of colors as such an integral part of the story.
ReplyDeleteI agree one hundred percent with you on Death being a charachter. It is an awesome idea and not only that he is deep with the charachter. He definitely has a lot of connections with the other charachters and knows everything about them and that is why i think he is the perfect narrator.
ReplyDelete