Vocabulary

In The Book Thief there is a combination of elevated diction and informal diction. The use of elevated diction is used when discussing Hitler or in conversations with adults. The informal diction is mostly used when Liesel is talking to Rudy. The author of this book really makes you feel like you are in the book by using an engaging technique. This technique is incorporating German words into the text of the book. By using these words, it makes you feel as if you are actually there. During Liesel's birthday, Max says, "Alles Gute zum Geburstag" (page 187). This translates to, all the best for your birthday, which is translated in the book.

The use of elevated diction in this book shows sophistication. A good use of elevated diction is, "The nightmares arrived like they always did, much like the best player in the opposition when you've heard rumors that he might be injured or sick - but there he is, warming up with the rest of them, ready to take the field" (page 186). The use of this quote in the book compares the nightmares Liesel and Max have to the best player in the opposition. On this same page a couple of paragraphs down there is informal diction. It reads, "The trick was to keep them apart" (page 186). This quote is very straight forward and easy to read. The use of both elevated diction and informal diction contribute to how the reader interprets certain events. The coolest thing, vocabulary wise, that this book has to offer is the couple of sentences, here and there, that are in German.

"Make the words your own"