Portrait of Color

The Book Thief, written by Markus Zusak, tells the story of Nazi Germany in World War II from the perspective of Death. In Nazi Germany, Death was ever present on many occasions, for death was so common at the time. People were viewed in many different perspectives, from society’s outlook or Death’s.
    At the time of World War II, Germany had a very prevalent segregation between races religions. Whether it be the Germans, Nazis, or Jews, there was a separation for the pure sake of hate. In my visual representation, the various symbols that represent these different groups of people are depicted as rain drops, raining on Death. At the time, these colors sometimes meant life or death - Nazi red. 
    In the novel, Death saw souls in the forms of colors. When Death carried the souls on his shoulders, they were all described as a color. The colors, also depicted as raindrops, represent the variety of souls and colors Death collected. The raindrops above Death’s umbrella represent how society sees people, by race and religion. Under the umbrella is how Death saw people’s souls, simply as colors.Death, having a rigorous job, is being “rained on” by all these souls. He does not discriminate among them though, for a soul is just another human. 
    I really connect to this piece because the colorful “souls” show how I see the world. I try not to see people as a race or religion, like the symbols shown above the umbrella. I prefer to see everyone as an individual, everyone colorful in their ways. 
    My portrait of color expresses society’s view of others, through race and stereotypes. It also shows the way Death, and I, see others, as colorful and unique humans that are not separated and limited by prejudice.