close
test_template

All The Light We Cannot See: The Role of Radio in Werner Pfennig’s Life

About this sample

About this sample

close

Words: 490 |

Page: 1|

3 min read

Published: Dec 16, 2021

Words: 490|Page: 1|3 min read

Published: Dec 16, 2021

‘All the light we cannot see’ written by Anthony Doerr is a novel set during WWII, following the lives of two protagonists. The first being a blind girl, Marie-Laure Leblanc, living inside Nazi-occupied France and the other being an orphaned boy living in Germany, Werner Pfennig. While living inside the orphanage with his sister Werner discovers a broken radio. This radio is a profound and powerful moment in Werner Pfennig life which causes a change in the way he contemplates and interprets the world, changing his actions throughout the book.

At the beginning of the novel, Werner is depicted to be driven by his passion to understand the world around him. When Werner finds the radio, he falls in love with the concept of it, “A mouth against a microphone in some faraway yet simultaneous evening - the sorcery of it holds him rapt.” The radio allowed Werner to grow in his knowledge and understanding of physics. Through listening to the Frenchman’s soothing voice Werner’s curiosity was sparked and the radio was essentially what provided the pathway for him to attend the school in Schulpfota.

Through Werner’s time at the school based in Schulpfota and working for the private German force fixated on hunting and extinguishing nemesis radio transmitters, he was able to find comfort and security when he was near radios. “To see them all the way out here soothes him, as though he has turned and found an old friend floating besides him in the middle of the sea.” This quote describes the emotional attachment that young Werner felt towards radios. In the midst of such extreme unfamiliar circumstances, Werner was able to hang onto the familiarity of his innate understanding of mechanics.

Towards the end of Werner’s short lived, but incredible lifetime, he finally was able to break free from the hold that the Nazi German ideology possessed over his actions. “Open your eyes and see what you can with them before they close forever.” This particular quote is mentioned four times throughout the novel and was spoken by the Frenchman when Werner first found the radio. The repetition of this significant quote allows readers to notice that Werner struggled with trying to interpret its meaning. The exposure Werner had with the outside world transported through wave frequencies and delivered through radios allows him to see through the propaganda and critically think though the manipulation of the German Nazi’s. By saving Marie Laure’s life Werner demonstrated that he finally understood what the Frenchman said many years earlier.

Get a custom paper now from our expert writers.

In conclusion, this novel allows readers to view the role and effect that radios had in Werner Pfennig’s lifetime. This essay dissects merely three out of many instances that Werner has been affected by the broken radio. The radio allowed him to attain understanding, which provided incredible opportunity creating a change in his outlook on the world, and finally in turn, allowing him to grow in his beliefs and values as an individual.   

Image of Dr. Charlotte Jacobson
This essay was reviewed by
Dr. Charlotte Jacobson

Cite this Essay

All The Light We Cannot See: The Role Of Radio In Werner Pfennig’s Life. (2021, December 16). GradesFixer. Retrieved October 10, 2024, from https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/all-the-light-we-cannot-see-the-role-of-radio-in-werner-pfennigs-life/
“All The Light We Cannot See: The Role Of Radio In Werner Pfennig’s Life.” GradesFixer, 16 Dec. 2021, gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/all-the-light-we-cannot-see-the-role-of-radio-in-werner-pfennigs-life/
All The Light We Cannot See: The Role Of Radio In Werner Pfennig’s Life. [online]. Available at: <https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/all-the-light-we-cannot-see-the-role-of-radio-in-werner-pfennigs-life/> [Accessed 10 Oct. 2024].
All The Light We Cannot See: The Role Of Radio In Werner Pfennig’s Life [Internet]. GradesFixer. 2021 Dec 16 [cited 2024 Oct 10]. Available from: https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/all-the-light-we-cannot-see-the-role-of-radio-in-werner-pfennigs-life/
copy
Keep in mind: This sample was shared by another student.
  • 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
  • Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours
Write my essay

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

close

Where do you want us to send this sample?

    By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

    close

    Be careful. This essay is not unique

    This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

    Download this Sample

    Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

    close

    Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

    close

    Thanks!

    Please check your inbox.

    We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

    clock-banner-side

    Get Your
    Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

    exit-popup-close
    We can help you get a better grade and deliver your task on time!
    • Instructions Followed To The Letter
    • Deadlines Met At Every Stage
    • Unique And Plagiarism Free
    Order your paper now