Topic > Morals and Obligations in "All the Light We Cannot See"

As people, we all have responsibilities. In order to fulfill these responsibilities, some people must put aside their moral obligations. In the 1940s, when this book is set, people had no middle ground between their morals and their responsibilities. But when some characters in the novel are shown, they realize that prioritizing their morals is more important to them than fulfilling the duties and obligations that have been assigned to them. As time passes, the characters in the novel change their perspective and have a greater awareness of what will come their way. Anthony Doerr used All The Light We Cannot See to demonstrate that a person's morals go against his obligations. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay All the Light We Cannot See has many characters. One of the characters is Werner Pfennig. Werner Pfennig is a good example of human morality and responsibility in conflict. He is always struggling with his inner self regarding his duties as a soldier and being a moral person. The book states: “Werner is succeeding. He's loyal. It's doing what everyone agrees is good. Yet every time he wakes up and buttons his tunic, he feels like he is betraying something" (p. 250). As this quote states, it shows that Werner is fulfilling the obligations given to him, but he knows deep down that it is wrong and feels a deep burden to betray the people around him. Furthermore, this quote shows that he is debating with himself whether his duty is the right thing to do. Another example is when Werner was leaving for school, he was saying goodbye to his sister Jutta who always believes in doing good things and said to him: “'Is it right,' says Jutta, 'to do something just because everyone else is? do it?'”. What Jutta said had an impact on Werner and this question accompanied him throughout his life. Later, Werner is assigned to track down a radio system. He later realizes that he is actually using his intelligence to help his people kill innocent people. Werner considers leaving but is simply too petrified and indeterminate to give up his duty. Furthermore, Werner begins to rebel against his own people in small but important ways, demonstrating that it is possible for moral acts to make a difference to the person and their work. When Werner decides to hide the location of Etienne LeBlanc's transmission system (saving Marie-Laure's life), he says, "'Jutta,' he thinks, 'I've finally listened.'" This quote shows that after meeting Maurie-Laure and breaking the rules to save her, he realizes that what his sister said is true, shown in the previous quote. This shows that Werner is listening to his sister regarding respecting her morals, therefore his moral obligations regarding his duty as a soldier. Another main character who influenced the story is Marie-Laure. Marie-Laure has a very indistinguishable but different conflict. In Saint-Malo the Germans have taken over and for this reason her aunts want to help the resistance and the people, but she realizes that it is very dangerous to do so. Although he has decided to help the resistance, he states: “Doing nothing is like collaborating” (p. 269). In this quote Marie-Laure and her aunt realize that they have to do the right thing even if it is dangerous. This ties back to his duties and morals by giving an example of how his duties would have been to stay at home but he knows that deep down he should help other people, which puts his duties and morals aside and also risks the life every day. Another example will be the task ofMarie-Laure to keep the Sea of ​​Flames hidden and well cared for. The Sea of ​​Flames is a cursed diamond, but Marie-Laure's father gave it to her to keep her "safe". He later chooses to leave the Sea of ​​Flames in an abandoned cave, throwing the cursed diamond away into the ocean. The book states: “He speaks lightly, his voice echoes: 'You must tell me, is it in the ocean? It must be in the ocean.” "He's inside. We have to go, miss." “Are you sure it's in the water?” 'YES.'" This quote explains that it is possible for people to fight each of the huge and fatal events in their life and that even though it was his job to keep it, he decided to let it go because he knew it was the right thing to do for everyone and for herself. Another character who in a way inspires the story is Frank Volkheimer or his nickname “The Giant”. Frank Volkheimer commands Werner during his time in the German army. He can be strong and brutal, especially with the other members of the German army, but is always humble and kind to Werner who always listens to and dances to classical music. Frank also essentially saves Werner's life several times. Volkheimer also seems to always act protectively, similar to how an older brother does would involve with the younger brother Werner and Volkheimer first have their interaction meeting alone in the laboratory, from here a deeper side of Volkheimer emerges. Frank Volkheimer's actions are described here in this quote: “Volkheimer who always makes sure that let there be food for Werner. Who brings him eggs, who shares his broth, whose affection for Werner remains, it seems, unshakable” (p. 366). This quote shows how Frank Volkheimer is willing to ignore his obligations as a soldier towards his commanders because he values ​​his morals and friendship with Werner more. The penultimate character who inspires the story is great-uncle Etienne LeBlanc. Etienne LeBlanc is old, strange and extremely lonely. When Daniel Leblanc and Marie-Laure LeBlanc come to live with him because Paris is unsafe, he becomes very connected with Marie-Laure, mostly spending all their time reading books and Etienne helping her read. Later in the story he helps people by broadcasting important and very urgent news about German soldiers on his radio. Etienne LeBlanc later tells Marie-Laure: “'This doesn't mean losing a letter at the post office. These numbers are more than just numbers. Do you understand?" "But we're the good guys. Aren't we, uncle?' 'I hope so. I hope we are.'” In this quote it is explained that because of her he expanded his morals as a person and he knew that he should give information to good people instead of his obligations to remain silent. Another example is l Etienne's love for Marie-Laure and how he was forced to stay at home by law, but he knew the right thing to do was to find Maurie-Laure. Later he tells his niece: "Marie-Laure," he says without hesitation. He shakes her hand with both of his. 'You are the best thing that ever came into my life.'" In this quote he shows that his morals had the best of him and that his duties had the least priority towards him at that time. And the fact that he says it shows that he does not regret it and that in a certain sense he is grateful for having done so. The last character who inspires the story is Sergeant Major Reinhold von Rumpel Sergeant Major Reinhold von Rumpel is an army sergeant who hunts the Sea of ​​Flame. Over the course of the story he is diagnosed with cancer and one of the reasons he wants the diamond is that it "cures" his cancer. He's always looking for that diamond and asking questions. When he visits a museum in Paris, he questions the people who work there, which is why he takes their time. He knows they have other situations to deal with and others.