The Book Thief

Why didn't death feel sympathy for the Germans who hid in their basements during the air raids?

Part 7

Asked by
Last updated by jill d #170087
Answers 1
Add Yours

The shelter is in the basement of the Fielders; 22 people are there, including the Steiners, Frau Holtzapfel, and Pfiffikus. Everyone is deeply fearful; some are stoic, others more obviously apprehensive. Death wonders if these people deserved any better, how many had actively participated in Hitler's persecution of others, whether the children or those who were hiding Jews deserved to die. Death pities them, but less so than it pities the Holocaust victims -- Death remarks that the basements were survivable, but the gas chambers were not.

Source(s): http://www.gradesaver.com/the-book-thief/study-guide/section8/