Multigenre Digital Essay                                      

 

 

The Brave Tales of Hans Hubermann

 

   “In 1933, 90 percent of Germans showed unflinching support for Adolf Hitler. That leaves 10 percent who didn’t. Hans Hubermann belonged to the 10 percent. There was a reason for that.” (Zusak, 63). The Book Thief is a novel written by Markus Zusak. It is also a winner of many awards. It all starts in the tattered yet homely household of the Hubermanns; Hans Hubermann, Rosa Hubermann, and the recent addition; Liesel Meminger. As each day of the fatal war goes by, their tears turn into love, hate, and finally courage.The author explores the true meaning of courage through the character of Hans Huberman to show that circumstances are only the voice behind someone’s actions.  

 

   “Hans Hubermann? Do you still play the accordion?” (173). These two questions are all that are needed to demand the courage that Hans Hubermann has kept hidden in himself for many years now.  They are what that make Hans Hubermann go out of his way and risk everything he has in order to save one person – Max Vendenburg, a Jew. These four words are enough to make any German in their right mind turn their head away from this suggestion no matter what the promise is, but Hans Hubermann is different. “[He] was barely visible.” (34). This is one of the main factors that supported his sudden act of bravery.  Now, of course Hans Hubermann is in no position to support this Jew, financially and especially secretively, but he clearly proves that he is no coward even when he knows that all of Himmel Street may be watching.

 

   “The Jew stood before him, expecting another handful of derision, but he watched with everyone else as Hans Hubermann held his hand out and presented a piece of bread, like magic.” (394). This incident occurs during one of the many times of when the Jews are lead down Munich Street. As always the Germans stand on the side as by passers, as the Jews walk by, but among all those people (including Liesel Meminger), one individual decides to do what’s right- Hans Hubermann. With everyone watching, he courageously walks up to the Jew and offers him a piece of bread. It is obvious that Hans Huberman was not planning to do this before, as his intentions are purely from what he felt at heart at that moment he saw the Jew. The situation was what that pushed Hans Hubermann to release his courage, but what he didn’t realize was that this same courage had blinded him into missing out on the reality of the consequences.

 

   “Many people must have seen their punishments coming, but only a small percentage welcomed it. One such person was Hans Hubermann.” (416). This was the result of Hans Hubermann’s sudden act of courage, when he voluntarily offered a piece of bread to the Jew. He knew he had to pay a heavy price, but instead of running away from it like many would have, he turned around and faced it head on. Although he may have been afraid of what the price may be, he was ready to accept it – which is what that makes him different. By standing his ground, he conducted his own act of bravery.

 

   Although Hans Hubermann may not be the ultimate protagonist, his role in the novel (not only as Liesel’s father but as a common citizen on Himmel Street) is very strong. He definitely thinks contrarily from the normal German citizen, explaining as to why many of his courageous acts and strong emotions are triggered by the seriousness of the circumstances that he finds himself in. His actions start to speak for themselves as they begin to influence many of the decisions taken by other characters in the novel. Hans Hubermann was definitely different from the others in his household. He was the most silent one but also the most courageous.