Summary and Analysis
Part 7: The Complete Duden Dictionary and Thesaurus:
Frau Holtzapfel's Offer
Summary
Frau Holtzapfel stops at the Hubermann home and asks if Liesel will come to her house a few times a week to read the rest of The Whistler to her. She tells Rosa that she'll stop spitting on her door and that she'll give the Hubermanns her coffee ration. Rosa agrees, and Liesel decides this must be her punishment for stealing.
Analysis
This chapter demonstrates how words, and Frau Holtzapfel's desire for words, are powerful enough to get her to make slight amends with Rosa. Frau Holtzapfel's desire for Liesel's stories and words are greater than her grudge against Rosa Hubermann. And like Hans with his cigarettes, Rosa sees an opportunity to make a trade in order to better their household.