"The Boxer: End of May (pg.250-255)"
Earlier in the novel, we encounter the "Jesse Owens Incident," a re-inactment of the race the first African-American won. The only twist appears that Rudy is Jesse Owens. Rudy imagines the audience screaming Jesse's name. To the readers, his imagination may seem silly, but if we truly think about, his dream is the most realistic.
After we learn much about Max Vandenburg, we start to learn his imagination, as well. In the basement, Max creates a world, where he is the opposing boxer to Hitler. The idea of fantasy is a place where we, as the readers, can connect. Everyone dreams, everyone has an imagination. Although, Max's 'fight' with Hitler has an underlying message referring to the troubles during World War II.
On page 254, Hitler gives an influencing speech to the audience of the boxing match. He convinces them that this Jew, Max Vandenburg, will soon-just like the rest of his Jewish friends-take over the world, but only if they are allowed to. This speech that Zusak had fantasy Hitler address is like the many that the real Hitler addressed to his fellow Germans.
I chose this specific event for my blog because I am amazed how Zusak can intertwine depressing, unreal messages into an event that the readers can relate to. We can never even think about trying to be in the shoes of Jews during WWII. We will never know or come close to experiencing the true feelings and happenings of discrimination against Jews. However, Zusak is able to connect those mythical feelings into an opportunity that we all experience.Markus Zusak molds fantasy with reality to make an depressing yet relative image.
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I agree with the statement that we will never really know the feelings of WWII. Throughout the entire novel Zusak slowly gains trust of the reader by creating the character Death, and at the same time slowly drops the reader into the middle of WWII. We are all told about how horrible the holocaust was but truly can never experience the pain and suffering that the Jewish people went through back then.
ReplyDeleteRudy's incident was silly, especially since this was during WWII when not only the Jews were being targeted but African Americans too. Painting yourself to look like one was unheard of.
I love the way that you juxtaposed Max and Rudy. It shows that they both have an enormous imagination, and for the same reason. Max is stuck in the basement all day and Rudy has five brothers and sisters so they both need to do something to pass the time.
Nice blog, Maret!