All the light we cannot see
Summary
In All the Light We Cannot See two main characters tell their stories and how their lives change through the powerful effects of world war II. Marie-Laure LeBlanc is a blind girl living with her father in Paris when the war starts. They move to Saint Malo to escape the chaos the war is bringing and hopefully survive the devastation that surrounds them. Werner Pfennig is an orphan living with his sister in Zollverein, Germany. He is exceptionally smart and an ideal Aryan who is soon recruited into a Hitler Youth program.
Their stories alternate throughout the novel and the reader gains an understanding of both worlds. Marie’s father must return to Paris and is arrested on his way and sent to a concentration camp. Marie receives two letters from him and then he is never heard from again. Marie is devastated by this but remains strong through her tribulation and escapes the war when Saint Malo is liberated.
Werner leaves the Hitler Youth program to track rebels in the war through radio transmitters. This new life teaches him that he does not have a right to his actions or decisions, he is continually broken by the heinous acts he and his comrades commit. Werner finds himself in Saint Malo during an American bombing and through his whits is able to pick up a transmission from across the city. Werner follows this transmission and is able to find and save Marie from a sergeant major, and ultimately, the war.
The sergeant major, Reinhold von Rumpel, is another main character portrayed in the novel. He is a German sergeant living with cancer and he only has four months to live. His only hope is a stone he has heard of in stories. This stone supposedly protects the one who keeps it from harm and death. Von Rumpel is willing to give and do anything for the stone and through his acts he finds himself in the home of Marie-Laure LeBlanc.
All the Light We Cannot See is a novel filled with many stories and the toll of World War II among so many. Death, captivity, and never ending hardships are found in the pursuit of liberty and happiness.
In All the Light We Cannot See two main characters tell their stories and how their lives change through the powerful effects of world war II. Marie-Laure LeBlanc is a blind girl living with her father in Paris when the war starts. They move to Saint Malo to escape the chaos the war is bringing and hopefully survive the devastation that surrounds them. Werner Pfennig is an orphan living with his sister in Zollverein, Germany. He is exceptionally smart and an ideal Aryan who is soon recruited into a Hitler Youth program.
Their stories alternate throughout the novel and the reader gains an understanding of both worlds. Marie’s father must return to Paris and is arrested on his way and sent to a concentration camp. Marie receives two letters from him and then he is never heard from again. Marie is devastated by this but remains strong through her tribulation and escapes the war when Saint Malo is liberated.
Werner leaves the Hitler Youth program to track rebels in the war through radio transmitters. This new life teaches him that he does not have a right to his actions or decisions, he is continually broken by the heinous acts he and his comrades commit. Werner finds himself in Saint Malo during an American bombing and through his whits is able to pick up a transmission from across the city. Werner follows this transmission and is able to find and save Marie from a sergeant major, and ultimately, the war.
The sergeant major, Reinhold von Rumpel, is another main character portrayed in the novel. He is a German sergeant living with cancer and he only has four months to live. His only hope is a stone he has heard of in stories. This stone supposedly protects the one who keeps it from harm and death. Von Rumpel is willing to give and do anything for the stone and through his acts he finds himself in the home of Marie-Laure LeBlanc.
All the Light We Cannot See is a novel filled with many stories and the toll of World War II among so many. Death, captivity, and never ending hardships are found in the pursuit of liberty and happiness.
Light Among Darkness
There are numerous instances in the novel where the world seems dark and full of despair. However, the characters continually find reasons to keep pressing forward. Through their persistence, they are able to find light among the darkness.
There are numerous instances in the novel where the world seems dark and full of despair. However, the characters continually find reasons to keep pressing forward. Through their persistence, they are able to find light among the darkness.
War Destroys and Uplifts
As soon as the war begins, there is tragedy after tragedy as Marie and Werner fight for their lives. They find strength within themselves to keep going, to keep fighting when they feel they have no purpose. In this, the reader sees that war brings out strength and diligence. War makes individuals who they are.
As soon as the war begins, there is tragedy after tragedy as Marie and Werner fight for their lives. They find strength within themselves to keep going, to keep fighting when they feel they have no purpose. In this, the reader sees that war brings out strength and diligence. War makes individuals who they are.
Weakness Presents Strength
In the novel, Marie is limited by her sight and Werner is limited by his strength. Both characters are able to find strength in their weaknesses. Werner uses his intelligence to be an incredible soldier and asset to the Germans. Marie's hearing is enhanced through the loss of her sight and she is able to become more perceptive through this. She hears more than most and is able to understand the world in a way others do not. Werner and Marie have found strength in their weaknesses.
In the novel, Marie is limited by her sight and Werner is limited by his strength. Both characters are able to find strength in their weaknesses. Werner uses his intelligence to be an incredible soldier and asset to the Germans. Marie's hearing is enhanced through the loss of her sight and she is able to become more perceptive through this. She hears more than most and is able to understand the world in a way others do not. Werner and Marie have found strength in their weaknesses.
Quote:
"Don't you want to be alive before you die?"(327)
War brings fear, and through this, captivity. Life becomes unlivable for those who follow the rules and orders of the Germans. To live, there must be disobedience. Those seeking freedom realize this and fight for their lives, their aspirations, their liberation.
"Don't you want to be alive before you die?"(327)
War brings fear, and through this, captivity. Life becomes unlivable for those who follow the rules and orders of the Germans. To live, there must be disobedience. Those seeking freedom realize this and fight for their lives, their aspirations, their liberation.
Essay Overview: Strength comes from weakness, light comes from darkness, and freedom comes from captivity.