Activity Overview
Understanding a book's point of view is something that helps students better understand the story, and how the POV can differ from the narrator. The narrator for The Book Thief is an unusual choice and one that is interesting for students to analyze. Teachers can discuss the difference between a first person and third person narrator as well as the differences between limited and omniscient. Death uniquely describes his own experiences but is also able to intimately describe the thoughts and feelings of some of the characters like Liesel. After discussing Death and his role in the story, students will create a storyboard that describes what type of narrator he is, his differing perspectives, as well as give evidence from the text to support their claims.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard analyzing the Narrator, Death's, point of view in The Book Thief.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the point of view of the narrator, Death.
- In 1-3 cells, use evidence from the text to describe the narrator's point of view.
- Add appropriate characters, scenes and items to illustrate your points.
- Write a description for each cell.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
First person point of view. First person is when “I” am telling the story. The character is in the story, relating his or her experiences directly.
Second person point of view. The story is told to “you.” This POV is not common in fiction, but it’s still good to know (it is common in nonfiction).
Third person point of view, limited. The story is about “he” or “she.” This is the most common point of view in commercial fiction. The narrator is outside of the story and relating the experiences of a character.
Third person point of view, omniscient. The story is still about “he” or “she,” but the narrator has full access to the thoughts and experiences of all characters in the story.
Create a storyboard that identifies each point of view and describes each using a written explanation and an illustration.
| Proficient 25 Points | Emerging 19 Points | Beginning 13 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identify the Points of View | The student identified all points of view the author employed in the novel correctly. | The student identified most of the points of view. | The student did not identify the correct point of view, |
| Written Explanations | Text descriptions clearly explain the points of view used in the novel and described the differences in their perspectives. | Text descriptions explain the points of view, but may lack clarity. | Text descriptions do not accurately describe the points of view. |
| Storyboard Images | Illustrations show scenes clearly connected to the point of view and perspective described and use visual elements to show a difference between perspectives. | Illustrations show scenes connected to the point of view and perspective described but may be simplistic or lack detail. | Scenes do not clearly describe the points of view employed in the novel. |
| Effort and Editing | Work is complete, thorough, and neat. Spelling and grammar are correct. | Most of the sections of the storyboard were at least attempted and work is presentable. The text contains some errors in spelling and/or grammar. | Storyboard is unfinished and/or disorganized. The text contains many errors in spelling and/or grammar. |
Activity Overview
Understanding a book's point of view is something that helps students better understand the story, and how the POV can differ from the narrator. The narrator for The Book Thief is an unusual choice and one that is interesting for students to analyze. Teachers can discuss the difference between a first person and third person narrator as well as the differences between limited and omniscient. Death uniquely describes his own experiences but is also able to intimately describe the thoughts and feelings of some of the characters like Liesel. After discussing Death and his role in the story, students will create a storyboard that describes what type of narrator he is, his differing perspectives, as well as give evidence from the text to support their claims.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard analyzing the Narrator, Death's, point of view in The Book Thief.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the point of view of the narrator, Death.
- In 1-3 cells, use evidence from the text to describe the narrator's point of view.
- Add appropriate characters, scenes and items to illustrate your points.
- Write a description for each cell.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
First person point of view. First person is when “I” am telling the story. The character is in the story, relating his or her experiences directly.
Second person point of view. The story is told to “you.” This POV is not common in fiction, but it’s still good to know (it is common in nonfiction).
Third person point of view, limited. The story is about “he” or “she.” This is the most common point of view in commercial fiction. The narrator is outside of the story and relating the experiences of a character.
Third person point of view, omniscient. The story is still about “he” or “she,” but the narrator has full access to the thoughts and experiences of all characters in the story.
Create a storyboard that identifies each point of view and describes each using a written explanation and an illustration.
| Proficient 25 Points | Emerging 19 Points | Beginning 13 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identify the Points of View | The student identified all points of view the author employed in the novel correctly. | The student identified most of the points of view. | The student did not identify the correct point of view, |
| Written Explanations | Text descriptions clearly explain the points of view used in the novel and described the differences in their perspectives. | Text descriptions explain the points of view, but may lack clarity. | Text descriptions do not accurately describe the points of view. |
| Storyboard Images | Illustrations show scenes clearly connected to the point of view and perspective described and use visual elements to show a difference between perspectives. | Illustrations show scenes connected to the point of view and perspective described but may be simplistic or lack detail. | Scenes do not clearly describe the points of view employed in the novel. |
| Effort and Editing | Work is complete, thorough, and neat. Spelling and grammar are correct. | Most of the sections of the storyboard were at least attempted and work is presentable. The text contains some errors in spelling and/or grammar. | Storyboard is unfinished and/or disorganized. The text contains many errors in spelling and/or grammar. |
How Tos about Point of View in The Book Thief
Engage students in comparing points of view between two characters
Invite students to analyze how different characters in The Book Thief see the same event from their unique perspectives. This approach helps students build empathy and recognize narrative bias in literature.
Select a pivotal scene involving multiple characters
Choose a scene where at least two characters experience the event together. For example, pick a moment when Liesel and Rudy respond differently to a crisis. This sets the stage for meaningful comparison.
Assign students to write a short reflection from each character’s point of view
Have students draft a first-person reflection for each selected character about the same scene. This exercise deepens understanding of character motivation and perspective.
Lead a class discussion to highlight contrasting perspectives
Facilitate a group discussion where students share their character reflections. Encourage students to identify similarities and differences in how each character interprets the event.
Connect multiple perspectives to the narrator’s unique viewpoint
Guide students to compare the characters’ points of view with Death's narration. This helps students appreciate how the narrator’s insights shape the reader’s understanding of the story.
Frequently Asked Questions about Point of View in The Book Thief
What is the point of view in The Book Thief?
The Book Thief is narrated by Death, who uses a unique first-person omniscient point of view. Death shares his own thoughts and also reveals the inner feelings and experiences of key characters, especially Liesel.
Why did Markus Zusak choose Death as the narrator of The Book Thief?
Markus Zusak chose Death as the narrator to offer a fresh, thought-provoking perspective on the events of WWII. Death's viewpoint allows readers to reflect on mortality, compassion, and the human condition in a unique narrative style.
How does Death’s perspective influence the story in The Book Thief?
Death’s perspective brings an omniscient and emotionally complex lens to the story, providing insights into multiple characters’ thoughts and feelings, while also commenting on broader themes like loss, humanity, and fate.
What is the difference between first-person and omniscient narration in The Book Thief?
First-person narration shares the narrator's direct experiences, while omniscient narration reveals multiple characters' thoughts. In The Book Thief, Death blends both styles by telling his own story and sharing intimate details about others.
How can students analyze the narrator’s point of view in The Book Thief?
Students can analyze Death’s point of view by creating a storyboard that identifies the type of narrator, explores his unique perspective, and includes text evidence to support their analysis, as described in the lesson activity.
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