All The Light We Can Not See Analysis Essay

Within this section of All the Light We Cannot See, the audience is introduced to the themes of the importance of family during times of despair and the struggle to maintain free will in oppressing circumstances. By portraying the characters with dilemmas similar to those faced in a modern society and by developing strong emotional ties among them, Doerr achieves a greater sense of reality and produces an imaginative correlation of cause-and-effect between both themes.
One of the major similarities between the two plots is the existence of outstandingly powerful family connections. These ties differentiate from other kinds of relationships as they play a unique role in the characters' lives. Marie-Laure is profoundly close with her father Daniel LeBlanc, and Werner shares an equivalent bond with his sister Jutta. The interesting factor is the duality that Doerr exerts on the family side of the characters, as family is a subject of pain and tragedy, yet it also represents a uniquely auspicious force in both scenarios. At times when war has forced people to move around the continent to avoid mishaps, family remains an important constant in the lives of Marie-Laure and Werner. Marie-Laure's love for her father is indelible, even after being separated. Likewise, although he becomes increasingly invested in the Nazi cause, Werner remembers his childhood with Jutta with kind eyes. Through the memories of his sister, he is reminded of a time when he was joyful, inquisitive, and -most importantly- retained his free will.
The novel often raises a series of complex questions about free will and making the right decisions. Marie-Laure and Werner find themselves frequently struggling to make proper choices, while also facing the possibility that their actions don't amount to anything, reinforcing their insignificance in a grand scheme. Free will is strongly symbolized by the Sea of Flames, as the likelihood of a curse indicates that attempts to protect one another are futile and yet if it's just a silly myth, actions towards one's loved ones do matter. In the initial chapters, Doerr seems to apply a clear distinction between free will and fate, as the two main characters seem to have the option to shape their destinies as they please. However, as the novel unveils, these terms become more intricate. When admitted to the National Institute, Werner wishes to maintain his morality but goes along with the barbarous activities due to his fear of disobeying. As he comes to realize, free will can be challenging -even painful. Although faced with significant adversities to exert their free will in a time of war, both characters are able to retain some level of independence as a result of strong family relationships. Marie-Laure's love for her father encourages her to enter the French Resistance and resist the German soldiers in Saint-Malo. Werner, on the other hand, acknowledges how Jutta "always seems to recognize what is right" and how "she's the only thing keeping him from surrendering totally." (Page 263). Family is the source of free will.