Morals Versus Obligations in 'All The Light We Cannot See'

As a person, we all have responsibilities. For some people to fulfill these responsibilities, they must put aside their moral obligations. During the 1940s, when this book is set, the people did not have a medium between their morals and their responsibilities. But as some characters in the novel are shown, they realise that prioritizing their morals is more important to them than doing their duties and obligations that were given to them. As time goes on, the characters in the novel changes their perspective and gets a greater feel of what's coming in their way. Anthony Doerr used All The Light We Cannot See to show that a person's morals goes against their obligations.

All The Light We Cannot See has many characters. One of the characters is Werner Pfennig. Werner Pfennig is a good example of a person moral and their responsibilities clashing. He is always fighting with his inner self about his duties as a soldier and being a moral person. In the book, it states, “Werner is succeeding. He is being loyal. He is being what everybody agrees is good. And yet every time he wakes and buttons his tunic, he feels he is betraying something” (pg 250). As this quote states, it shows that Werner is following his obligations that he was given but he knows deep down that is wrong and he feels a deep burden that he is betraying the people around him. Also, this quote shows that he is debating with himself if his duty is the right thing that needs to be done. Another example is when Werner was leaving to go to school, he was saying goodbye to his sister Jutta who always believes in doing good things and told him,

“ ‘Is it right,’ Jutta says, ‘to do something only because everyone else is doing it?’”. What Jutta has said made an impact on Werner and this question stuck with him for his entire life. Later on, Werner is instructed to track down a radio system, he later realizes that he’s actually using his intelligence to help his people murder innocent people. Werner considers leaving but is simply too petrified and undetermined to give up his duty. Furthermore, Werner begins to rebel against his own people in little but important ways, showing that it is possible for moral acts to make a difference on the person and their job. When Werner makes the decision to hide the location of Etienne LeBlanc’s broadcasting system (saving Marie-Laure’s life) he says, “ ‘Jutta’, he thinks, ‘I finally listened’ ”. This quote it 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 proves that Werner is listening to his sister about following his morals, thus his moral obligations over his duty as a soldier.

Another main character that influenced the story is Marie-Laure. Marie-Laure has a very indistinguishable yet different conflict. In Saint-Malo, the Germans have taken over and due to this her aunts want to help the resistance and the people but she comes to her senses that it is very dangerous to do so. Although she decided to aid the resistance, she states, “Doing nothing is as good as collaborating” (pg 269). In this quote Marie-Laure and her aunt realizes that they must do the right thing even though it is dangerous. This relates back to her duties and her morals by setting an example how her duties would have been staying at home but she knows that deep down she should help other people, which sets her duties aside and her morals in front by also risking her life everyday. Another example will be Marie-Laure duty as keeping the Sea of Flames hidden and well taken care of. The Sea of Flames is a curse diamond, but Marie-Laure father gave it to her to keep her ‘safe’. Later on she chooses to leave the Sea of Flames in an abandoned cave, throwing away the cursed diamond in the ocean. In the book it states, “She speaks lightly, her voice echoing: ‘You need to tell me, is it in the ocean? It must be in the ocean.’ ‘Its is in. We must go, mademoiselle’ ‘Are you certain it's in the water?’ ‘Yes’”. This quote explains that it is possible for people to fight off every one of the huge, fated events in their lives and that even though it was her job to keep it, she decided to just let it go because she know that was the right thing to do for everybody and herself.

Another character that inspires the story in a way is Frank Volkheimer or his nickname “The Giant”. Frank Volkheimer commands Werner through his time in the German army. He can be strong and brutal, especially with other people in the German army, but he’s always humble and gentle with Werner who always listens and dances to classical music. Frank also basically saves Werner’s life multiple time. Volkheimer additionally always seems to act in a protective manner similar as to how an older brother would act to his younger brother. Werner and Volkheimer first have their own interaction meeting alone in the laboratory, a deeper side of Volkheimer emerge. Frank Volkheimer actions are described here in this quote, “Volkheimer who always makes sure there is food for Werner. Who brings him eggs, who shares his broth, whose fondness for Werner remains, it seems, unshakable” (pg 366). In this quote it shows how Frank Volkheimer is willing ignore his obligations as a soldier from his commanders because he values his moral and friendship with Werner more greatly.

The second to last character who inspires the story is Great-Uncle Etienne LeBlanc. Etienne LeBlanc is old, weird, and extremely solitary. When Daniel Leblanc, and Marie-Laure LeBlanc, come to live with him due to Paris being unsafe, he becomes super connected with Marie-Laure, mostly spending all their time reading books and Etienne helping her read. Later on in the story he helps the people by broadcasting very urgent important news about the German soldiers on his radio. Etienne LeBlanc later says to Marie-Laure, “‘This is not misplacing a letter at the post office. These numbers, they’re more than numbers. Do you understand?’ ‘But we are the good guys. Aren’t we, Uncle?’ ‘I hope so. I hope we are.’”. In this quote it explains that due to her he expanded his morals as a person and knew that he should give information out to the good people instead of his obligations of keeping quiet. Another example is Etienne’s love for Marie-Laure and how he was obligated to stay at home by the laws but he knew the right thing to do is find Maurie-Laure. He later tells his grandniece, ” ‘Marie-Laure,’ he says without hesitation. He squeezes her hand with both of his. ‘You are the best thing that has ever come into my life’”. In this quote it shows that his morals overcame him and his duties were the least prioritized towards him in that moment. And him saying that makes it show that he doesn't regret it and is actually grateful in a way that he did that.

The last character who inspires the story is Sergeant Major Reinhold von Rumpel. Sergeant Major Reinhold von Rumpel is a sergeant in the army who hunts for the Sea of Flame. He is diagnosed with cancer throughout the story and one of the reasons he wants the diamond is for it to ‘cure’ his cancer. He is always searching for that diamond and asking questions. When he visits a museum in Paris, he questions the people who works there, due to this he takes up their time. He knows they have other situations to attend and other tasks. In this quote it explains how his action is portrayed, “Waiting, thinks Von Rumpel, is a kind of war. You simply tell yourself you must not lose. The director’s telephone rings, and he reaches to pick it up, but Von Rumpel holds up a hand, and the phone rings ten or eleven times and then falls quiet”. As time progresses he never terrorize them with brute force. But what he does that is worst is bringing up their children. He questions their children’s safety as they return home from school. This action pushes the two men to crack and give in to Von Rumpel’s demand to see the museum’s private collection of precious stones. Due to his actions it is shows that in his eyes what he did was the right thing. His duties was being a german soldier. But his morals were finding that stone and curing his cancer so he could live. That in his eyes was the right thing to do.

In conclusion, Anthony Doerr demonstrated many scenarios where a person's morals goes against their obligations. As people grow up they realize that it was the best thing they could of done and there was no way out. Through characters such as Maurie-Laurie, Werner, and more, shows how different situations can lead to different outcomes and decisions that characters has to make which helps the reader understand more about who the character is and a deeper understanding of them.