Light Among Darkness
In All the Light We Cannot See, World War II has taken hold of France and has wreaked havoc and devastation on its inhabitants. Marie-Loure LeBlanc and Werner Pfenning’s stories unfold among the ruin they share. Through the hope and dedication they each possess they are able to find strength within their weaknesses, freedom in the midst of captivity, and light among darkness.
“Open your eyes and see what you can with them before they close forever”(264). Having strength is withstanding the pressures of the world, working when there’s only despair, fighting when death is inevitable. As Marie and Werner open their eyes to the world, they are able to view life as a whole. They understand their weaknesses, and work to find strength within their weaknesses. Marie is blind, her loss of this sense has heightened her other four senses, more specifically, her hearing. With her enhanced hearing, Marie is able to know people from the way they walk, know danger from the tap of her cane, and know survival from her perception of war. Werner is small and frail yet incredibly intelligent. His physicalities define him until he is able to show the world what he is capable of. Werner is able to use radio transmissions to determine the location of individuals, this becomes his invaluable strength.
Freedom is being able to act without constraint. As Marie and Werner’s lives take on unpredictable changes they become captive. This captivity limits their actions and presents problems from day-to-day. However, both characters break free of their restrictive rules and orders. This enables them to find liberation amongst the captivity and work towards the joy of freedom. “‘Your problem, Werner,’ says Fredrick, ‘is that you still believe you own your life.’”(223). When Werner first becomes a Hitler Youth he is elated with the experience and is ready to serve the fuhrer with full obedience. As he comprehends his situation he realizes that there are a lot of factors out of his control, including his own life. Werner breaks order and finds freedom in his captivity. Marie is held captive by the rules of war, as she begins to break those rules she finds joy and freedom daily. Eventually, Marie’s rebellious behavior obtains her liberation, her ultimate freedom.
“So how, children, does the brain, which lives without a spark of light, build for us a world full of light?”(48). Light dispels darkness, when there is light there cannot be darkness. As Marie and Werner fight through the brutalities of war, they find light in the midst of ever-looming darkness. Marie is able to find light in her and her uncle’s liberation. Even though she experienced trial after trial, her freedom brought much needed light into her darkened life. In the end of the novel, Werner is killed by a landmine right before he is liberated. The initial emotion to this tragic outcome is sadness, however, Werner was able to find the peace and light he needed through his death. Werner would have lived in guilt and shame through his remaining years, through death he found the freedom he needed, he found the light he could not yet see.
War irrevocably changes lives. Marie and Werner’s lives were changed for the better, they became strong, free, and full of light. In All the Light We Cannot See, there are numerous oxymoron's making the novel a unique work of literature. It can be easily concluded that, in a world full of hatred, captivity, weakness, death, and darkness there is truly strength, freedom, and light. It is among those who look to better themselves that there is light that cannot otherwise be seen.
In All the Light We Cannot See, World War II has taken hold of France and has wreaked havoc and devastation on its inhabitants. Marie-Loure LeBlanc and Werner Pfenning’s stories unfold among the ruin they share. Through the hope and dedication they each possess they are able to find strength within their weaknesses, freedom in the midst of captivity, and light among darkness.
“Open your eyes and see what you can with them before they close forever”(264). Having strength is withstanding the pressures of the world, working when there’s only despair, fighting when death is inevitable. As Marie and Werner open their eyes to the world, they are able to view life as a whole. They understand their weaknesses, and work to find strength within their weaknesses. Marie is blind, her loss of this sense has heightened her other four senses, more specifically, her hearing. With her enhanced hearing, Marie is able to know people from the way they walk, know danger from the tap of her cane, and know survival from her perception of war. Werner is small and frail yet incredibly intelligent. His physicalities define him until he is able to show the world what he is capable of. Werner is able to use radio transmissions to determine the location of individuals, this becomes his invaluable strength.
Freedom is being able to act without constraint. As Marie and Werner’s lives take on unpredictable changes they become captive. This captivity limits their actions and presents problems from day-to-day. However, both characters break free of their restrictive rules and orders. This enables them to find liberation amongst the captivity and work towards the joy of freedom. “‘Your problem, Werner,’ says Fredrick, ‘is that you still believe you own your life.’”(223). When Werner first becomes a Hitler Youth he is elated with the experience and is ready to serve the fuhrer with full obedience. As he comprehends his situation he realizes that there are a lot of factors out of his control, including his own life. Werner breaks order and finds freedom in his captivity. Marie is held captive by the rules of war, as she begins to break those rules she finds joy and freedom daily. Eventually, Marie’s rebellious behavior obtains her liberation, her ultimate freedom.
“So how, children, does the brain, which lives without a spark of light, build for us a world full of light?”(48). Light dispels darkness, when there is light there cannot be darkness. As Marie and Werner fight through the brutalities of war, they find light in the midst of ever-looming darkness. Marie is able to find light in her and her uncle’s liberation. Even though she experienced trial after trial, her freedom brought much needed light into her darkened life. In the end of the novel, Werner is killed by a landmine right before he is liberated. The initial emotion to this tragic outcome is sadness, however, Werner was able to find the peace and light he needed through his death. Werner would have lived in guilt and shame through his remaining years, through death he found the freedom he needed, he found the light he could not yet see.
War irrevocably changes lives. Marie and Werner’s lives were changed for the better, they became strong, free, and full of light. In All the Light We Cannot See, there are numerous oxymoron's making the novel a unique work of literature. It can be easily concluded that, in a world full of hatred, captivity, weakness, death, and darkness there is truly strength, freedom, and light. It is among those who look to better themselves that there is light that cannot otherwise be seen.
Photo used under Creative Commons from Theo Crazzolara