Themes

Love

When Hans slaps Liesel for saying she hates Hitler, Hans demonstrates his love for Liesel by showing how far he is willing to go in order to protect his family and keep Liesel from using words that will get her into trouble with the dangerous Nazi Party.

Cowardice

Hans Junior accuses his father Hans of being a coward for not supporting Hitler and his party, however during those times in Nazi Germany, it would take much more bravery to defy Hitler than it would to support Hitler's party and thier Nazi ideology.

Words and Propaganda

Learning to read brings Liesel closer to the understanding that Hitler's propaganda is the main source of his power and the reason why her mother, father, and brother are dead. Liesel might hate Hitler in private, but she now has to learn to love Hitler in public,otherwise her family would be in danger