“When I recollect her, I see a long list of colors, but its the three in which I saw her in the flesh that resonate the most. (pg 15)

” some people cling longer to life than expected” (pg 10)

“it’s the leftover humans.- they are the ones I can’t stand to look at” (pg 5)

intro summary: the narrator is death. He carries away souls. He has had an encounter with this young girl and he is very intrigued by her. He describes his job and how he thinks.

The rule of three’s is something I have observed as being a subtle symbol in the book. The number pops up on many occasions and is the author’s way of connecting ideas and emphasizing the facts of Leisel’s childhood. Death ( the narrator) mentions in the beginning ” I saw the book thief three times”. At the beginning of the book when her brother passes it is in the third carriage which could mean her link to death is the number 3 as she only sees him when that number is involved. There are many other references tot he number 3 such as living on 33 Himmel street and the three significant colors of red, black and white. It also should be noted that Leisel has three parental role models throughout her childhood; Mama, Rosa, and Hans.