Flashbacks

The Book Thief

by Markus Zusak

The Book Thief: Flashbacks 1 key example

Part 4: The Accordionist (The Secret Life of Hans Hubermann)
Explanation and Analysis—World War I:

In Part 4: The Accordionist (The Secret Life of Hans Hubermann), Max arrives at Himmel Street. His arrival introduces a flashback that emphasizes the two-sided nature of historical trauma:

[Max] asked two questions.

QUESTION ONE
“Hans Hubermann?”

QUESTION TWO
“Do you still play the accordion?”

[...]

Papa, alert and appalled, stepped closer.

To the kitchen, he whispered, “Of course I do.”

It all dated back many years, to World War I.