Books

Books are symbols of knowledge and the loss of them marks the destruction of one's community and humanity's ability to connect with and understand each other. This is why the Nazis are so keen on destroying books that either point them in a bad light or chronicle the history of the cultures they are trying to erase. This is also why people like Miss Reeder, Odile, and the other librarians fight to keep the books safe and distribute them to anyone willing to read. There is a prevalent feeling that books lie at the center of human thoughts and emotions and their removal will set everything back.

The Letters

The letters frequently signed by the 'One Who Knows' are a representation of the fear felt by those affected by the war and how dangerous that is when left unchecked. It is revealed toward the end that...