How does Bernhard Schlink explore the themes of love, guilt and atonement in 'the reader'

Throughout ‘The Reader’, Bernhard Schlink explores the themes of love, guilt and atonement. Michael and Hanna’s relationship shows the effects love has on individuals and the guilt that can develop as a result of their actions. With guilt comes atonement and is showed by Michael after he finds out that Hanna is illiterate. It is also displayed by Hanna when she tries to compensate for her involvement in the Holocaust.

Michael and Hanna met by luck one day and their love flourished from there, with regular sex and Michael reading out aloud to Hanna. Michael would go to Hanna’s house instead of school and they would shower and have sex, with Michael reading to her unbeknown to him that Hanna was illiterate. In the beginning the relationship was based on Michael taking advantage of an opportunity presented to him far ahead of his age. Michael grew to love Hanna, however he was not sure if the feelings were reciprocated, he said, “That summer was the glide path of our love, or...