Question
Part Five, The Whistler (p. 241-303):
1. What does foreshadowing reveal about Rudy's fate? How does the narrator's point of view impact
the story? What is his reason for revealing important information before it happens?
2. On page 249, Liesel describes the weather for Max. Describe something ordinary using figurative
language and vivid imagery.
3. What is the significance of Max's extended daydream about his fight with Hitler?
4. What is the significance of Liesel's harsh words towards the mayor's wife on page 262? What is the
significance/effect of her brother's appearance directly afterwards?
Answer
1. Foreshadowing reveals that Rudy's fate is tragic, as he is eventually killed in the war. The narrator's point of view impacts the story by providing insight into the characters' thoughts and feelings, as well as providing a sense of suspense and anticipation. The narrator reveals important information before it happens to build tension and suspense.
2. The sun was a blazing fireball, scorching the earth with its fiery heat, as if it were a giant magnifying glass, singeing the grass and trees with its relentless intensity.
3. Max's extended daydream about his fight with Hitler is significant because it symbolizes his desire to stand up for what he believes in and fight against injustice.
4. The significance of Liesel's harsh words towards the mayor's wife is that it shows her courage and strength in standing up for what she believes in, even in the face of danger. The effect of her brother's appearance directly afterwards is that it serves as a reminder of the importance of family and the power of love.