HANS
What is Hans’s literal and figurative role in the novel?
Literally, Hans is a painter and husband in Molching, Munich. He’s a stepfather to Liesel and teaches her to become literate. He becomes the person Liesel turns to for everything. Hans is also not the typical German, while he applies to join the Nazi party, he does not agree with the Nazi’s. “‘Ninety percent of Germans showed unflinching support for Adolf Hitler. That leaves ten percent who didn’t. Hans Hubermann belonged to that ten percent”. However, figuratively, Hans is much more than that. Hans steps in, and really helps to fill the empty spot in Liesel’s life, left by the loss of her family. He becomes a father figure to her and makes her feel comfortable in her new home. “Liesel observed the strangeness of her foster father’s eyes. They were made of kindness and silver… Liesel , when seeing those eyes, understood that Hans Hubermann was worth a lot”.
What people group does Hans represent in the era?
He represents the people who stood up against Hitler and he believed in what he thought was right and not what he was told was right. “The Jew stood before him expecting another handful of derision, but he watched everyone else as Hans Hubermann held his hand out and presented a piece of bread, like magic”. This shows us that although they had all been told that the Jews were evil and deserved everything that they got , that Hans decided that they didn't and took pity on the Jew standing before them , even as everyone else around him just looked onwards.
What key relationships does he have and what comes to be because of this relationship?
Hans relationship to Erik Vandenburg is a key component in Hans connection with Max. Hans made a promise to Erik’s wife after Erik had passed to help her with anything she needed. “If there’s anything you ever need….” “He slid a piece of paper with his name and address on it across the table.” So that is how he was pulled into hiding Max, Erik’s son, who is also a Jew, in his basement. This relationship was the catalyst to Hans giving bread to the Jew in the street during the Death March. He felt the need to help the Jews because he was once saved by a Jew. “A Jew had once saved his life, and he couldn’t forget that”. This factor is also the reason why Hans was hesitant to join the Nazi party.
Another key relationship Hans possesses is with Liesel. Hans is a father figure to Liesel who becomes her source of comfort and teaches her to be literate. "She would have no trouble calling him papa" . Because of the bond the two formed from reading books Liesel found that stealing books was not a bad thing as she learned so much from reading them. Hans taught her to read and write, enough so that she was able to write her own book, the event of this leading to her survival in the Molching Bombing.
Another key relationship Hans possesses is with Liesel. Hans is a father figure to Liesel who becomes her source of comfort and teaches her to be literate. "She would have no trouble calling him papa" . Because of the bond the two formed from reading books Liesel found that stealing books was not a bad thing as she learned so much from reading them. Hans taught her to read and write, enough so that she was able to write her own book, the event of this leading to her survival in the Molching Bombing.
What important symbols surround this character?
The most important symbol that surrounds Hans is the accordion. He learns to play the accordion from Max’s father, Erik Vadenburg, who saved his life. Liesel finds the sound of the accordion very pleasant which symbolises the fact that the presence of Hans is pleasant and soothing for Liesel.” Sometimes I think my papa is an accordion. When he looks at me and smiles and breathes, I hear the notes”.
What major conflict does this character experience and why?
Hans major conflict in this story is the situation of hiding Max in his basement. He’s a man who keeps his promises so he could not decline Max’s arrival, but the situation was difficult for Hans as if he got caught, him and his family would be in great danger and would most likely be killed. The situation was so serious and Hans felt that Liesel didn't fully comprehend what was happening so he had to threaten her, by saying he would burn all her books and him and Rosa Hubermann would leave and never return. ”Liesel, if you tell anyone about the man up there, we will all be in big trouble… at the very least mama and I will be taken away” Also within this situation the family form a strong relationship with Max, especially Liesel. Max’s death would result in extreme sadness which they could not express because no one can be aware of the fact they even had another guest in their house. Hans was continuously worrying about his family which in the grand scheme of things, was his major conflict. “In his letter the last words were obvious. Be careful”
What does he teach us about the nature of humanity – how people behave in stressful situations?
Hans is character who is kind and caring and he respects people for their differences. He shows to us that there are people in the universe that are willing to help in any circumstances. Hans teaches us to respect people for the differences they have and to help people in need. For example; how he put his own family in danger to help Max, a Jew, by hiding him in his basement. ‘The Jew stood before him expecting another handful of derision, but he watched everyone else as Hans Hubermann held his hand out and presented a piece of bread, like magic’This idea is then reinforced when Hans helps a Jew on the street, by giving him a loaf of bread during a the Death March and he didn’t think of the consequences. The author wants us to understand that sometimes we should go out of our way to support others. Hans is also a character that expresses the idea that we should think for ourselves and not let anybody else do the thinking for us. ‘Ninety percent of Germans showed unflinching support for Adolf Hitler. That leaves ten percent who didn’t. Hans Hubermann belonged to that ten percent’ – Page 65The author wants us to understand that we should not let anyone rule us and make us do something that is not right, we should stand up for other people’s and our own rights. Hans also shows us that sometimes we act without thinking of the consequences and it may be in a good or bad way. Overall, Hans is character who is willing to help anyone in any situation, even if it’s Nazi Germany 1939. ‘To most people Hans Hubermann was barely visible. An un-visible person’ - Death, Page 34In the society the book is set in. Hans is not respected for the efforts he puts in to help people. For the society he ‘un-visible’which can show he is not important and not accorded the respects deserves and he still continues to help people in any way he can. Through the presence of Hans in book we are able to understand that are people in this world that help people and are not respected for all their efforts but they still continue to help people. The author wants us to learn to respect people for their differences and always be willing to help others in need.
Hans Hubermann Quotes
Beginning;
‘To most people Hans Hubermann was barely visible. A un visible person’ - Death, Page 34
‘Liesel observed the strangeness of her foster father’s eyes. They were made of kindness and silver… Liesel , when seeing those eyes understood that Hans Hubermann was worth a lot’ – Death , Page 34
‘She would have no trouble calling him papa’ – Page 36
‘Trust was actually accumulated quickly, due primarily to the brute strength of the man’s kindness, his thereness.’ Page 37
‘Mistakes? I have made many mistake in my life but not joining the Nazi party isn’t one of them’- Page 113
‘Ninety percent of Germans showed unflinching support for Adolf Hitler. That leaves ten percent who didn’t. Hans Hubermann belonged to that ten percent’ – Page 65
Middle;
‘You had to love Liesel’s papa’ – Page 365
‘Hans Hubermann was a hard man to catch out at work, it was there he was most alive’
‘The Jew stood before him expecting another handful of derision, but he watched everyone else as Hans Hubermann held his hand out and presented a piece of bread, like magic’
‘“I am stupid” Hans Hubermann told his foster daughter “ And kind, which makes me the biggest idiot in the world. The thing is, I want them to come for me , anything is better than this waiting”’
End;
‘He didn't think the hatred could last and it was a conscious decision not to follow Hitler’
‘You’re lucky I like you Hubermann. You’re lucky you’re a good man’ Bons Schipper
‘Sometimes I think my papa is an accordion. When he looks at me and smiles and breathes, I hear the notes’
‘Papa. He was tall in the bed and I could see the silver in his eyelids. His soul sat up. It met me. Those kinds of souls always do- the best ones. The ones who rise up and say ‘ I know who you are and I am ready. Not that I want to go, of course, but I will come’. Those souls are always light because more of them have been put out’ – Death