Liesel is
not the only one in this book who feels the dreadful guilt and shame. There are
small examples of guilt that he felt as well as big. When the Nazi’s first came
to Max’s house to take him away he told them that he would not go without his
family, but when his family said it was O.K to go, he felt relieved. He felt
guilty for his relief and it was torturing him. In the book it says, “If only
he turned for one last look at his family as he left the apartment. Perhaps
then the guilt would not have been so heavy. No final goodbye” (193). He felt
this guilt for a long time because he could not say a final goodbye but all
that guilt did was make him feel bad, it did not change what happened. How
would you feel if you put a family’s life in danger by just staying in their
basement and asking for little protection and food? You would feel extremely
guilty. Knowing that this family you are staying with could lose their lives
because they are helping you is enough to drive you mad. This is exactly how
Max felt when he asked the Hubermanns for help. He knew that he was going to
ruin their lives because they would always be paranoid, give up some of the
little food they have, and live their lives in fear. In the book it says, “Thank you. For Max Vandenburg, those
were the two most pitiful words he could possibly say, rivaled only by I’m sorry. There was a constant urge to
speak both expressions, spurred on by the affliction of guilt” (208).For the
next few hours Max continually thought about leaving but could not bring
himself to because he needed that hiding spot desperately. “Living is living.
The price is guilt and shame.” (208). This quote is very true to this book. It
means that no matter what, living is the ultimate goal; you must do whatever it
takes to live. If guilt and shame is the price you pay for living, so be it
because it is better than being dead. In other words, ignore any guilt you feel
because the temptation to live is too strong. Temptation, that word can cause
so much destruction.