Fragmentation in holocaust literature : a stylistic analysis of Markus Zusak’s ‘The Book Thief’

Abstract

Fragmentation plays a central role when it comes to expressing the Holocaust in any art form. It is not only to be perceived as a stylistic choice but also a necessity. This dissertation undertakes an in-depth analysis of the stylistic manifestation of fragmentation in Markus Zusak’s novel, The Book Thief. The multiple roles of fragmentation and their effects will be considered and discussed. This dissertation takes on a very holistic approach: starting from the wider context of history and the ethics of writing, gradually moving towards the specific stylistic features of Holocaust Literature, it will be demonstrated how such authorial choices affect both meaning and interpretation. Through various foregrounding techniques Markus Zusak’s novel challenges readers to examine the texts more closely, and dig deeper into the underlying message of what is being said. The levels of fragmentation in The Book Thief will be studied from two angles. The first being that of narratorial fragmentation, analysed through Toker’s theory of the reticence of information. The second, will focus on the manifestation of fragmentation through syntactical technique and graphological deviation. To conclude, it will be evidenced how such stylistic choices not only generate meaning within the text but branch beyond the pages to the wider context of past, present and future.