Hitler vilified the Jews, progressively stripped them of their civil rights, and ultimately denied that they were even human - thus were the Nazis able to try to exterminate the entire Jewish race. The dehumanization of the Jews was an early stage of the Holocaust. Rudy and others steal food because they are hungry, yet Rudy is unable to burglarize a wealthy home despite his anger over the Army having 'stolen' his father. Ilsa is an encouraging figure who desires to help Liesel continue to read, even if it must be on Liesel's terms.

Ilsa realizes what Liesel has done and is amused by it she 'helps' Liesel steal from her library by leaving her window open and placing books in visible locations. Instead, Liesel breaks into Ilsa's home and steals the same book, later stealing others. When Ilsa offers Liesel a book, Liesel refuses it because she is enraged at Ilsa for firing Liesel's foster mother Rosa. By stealing a book from a book burning, she defies Nazi censorship and takes her education into her own hands. Liesel's thievery is a form of defiance and self-actualization.

Liesel ends up writing the story of her life, ending with the line, 'I have hated the words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right.' This line conveys Liesel's realization of the manipulative power of words and indicates her attempt to master the art of writing for compassionate use, to make words 'right.' Thievery Ilsa gives Liesel a blank book and encourages her to write. Reading - particularly reading Max's writings to her - brings Liesel great joy throughout the novel, yet she despairs after seeing Max on his way to a concentration camp, and rips up a book, wondering what good words are.

Max, who understands well the effect Hitler's propaganda has had on his race, helps impart this lesson through his allegorical story 'The Word Shaker.' The story describes Hitler's use of oratory to brainwash Germany and compel German citizens to turn against the Jews a young girl who understands the power of words is capable of defying the Fuhrer through words of compassion and love. Learning to read brings Liesel closer to the understanding that Hitler's propaganda is the root of his power and the reason why her mother, father, and brother are dead. At age 9, Liesel is illiterate, and the first book she learns to read is a manual about grave digging. Liesel learns throughout the course of the novel that words hold a remarkable power to compel people to commit acts of cruelty.

Markus the book thief