The Book Thief

the book theif "growing up saumensch"

what does death explain to the reader regarding rosas actions toward liesel

Asked by
Last updated by judy t #197809
Answers 2
Add Yours

Rosa, described as loving Liesel yet acting harshly, constantly shouts profanity at Liesel, calling her a saumensch ("pig girl") when she refuses to have a bath. Hans, described as a house painter and accordion player, acts more kindly, teaching Liesel to roll a cigarette. Liesel begins to call her foster parents "Mama" and "Papa."

Source(s)

GradeSaver

Although Rosa does love Liesel, she calls her a Saumensch (a kind of curse word - literally meaning woman pig), but she worries about Liesel's looks which are blond enough for the Aryan model, but her brown eyes which are not in the Aryan model.