The Main Themes in ‘all The Light We Cannot See’ by Anthony Doerr

Throughout centuries many authors have written great novels. However, as time moves on certain pieces of literature may be forgotten or become irrelevant as it no longer appears to current generations. At times certain topics are no longer relevant to readers which may not interest them. In order for a novel to stay relevant, it must be a theme or topic that can always connect to the reader. The theme or topic must be something that relates to a human a conflict that is prominent in any generation. If the author is able to do sufficiently it could be so memorable that it can last for years to come.

A great example of a novel that fits this case is Anthony Doerr All The Light We Cannot See. The author is able to achieve this through characterization and conflict that can connect to the reader. Although not every novel can stand the test of time but those that do will always be memorable for generations to come. What sets novels apart is the theme that can create a connection with a reader so much so that the theme can withstand the test of time. If done this way the theme can illustrate the struggle in which a human must find a way to overcome. This is what needed to connect to the reader to stay relevant in today's time.

Some examples of themes that work well for a novel are the significations of actions that seem insignificant as well the contrast of between free will and predetermination. Often there are times where people believe that small actions do not have any significance however seemingly insufficient actions are more significant than people realize. An example would be the time when Etienne’s Lablanche would put on a radio broadcast. Etienne would broadcast science lessons in hopes that someone would hear the broadcast but he believed no one heard it. However unknown to him Werner Pfennig has heard his broadcast when he was younger and was confirmed when he said “There was a man who used that transmitter you have. Who broadcast lessons about science. When I was a boy I used to listen to them with my sister. What Ettine actions deemed insufficient about his broadcast actually help inspire a young Werner to find what he wants to do. Werner was doomed to work at the coal mines when he turns fifteen so he desperately finds a way to avoid this fate. When Werner found this broadcast it set a path Werner follows thought the novel and does whatever he can to achieve his goal.

Throughout the text, the author is trying to show the reader that what seems like a small deed can have a significant impact on others then they realize. This happens all the time in the real world and is something everyone had experienced but might not notices and brought to light to the reader. It goes to show that anything people do has significance and has an impact, which brings up the next point that people do not know if what they do is out of their free will or predetermination.

People often do not understand the differences between what they believe is acting out of free will or what is predetermined. People often assume one is the other or that they blame that they have no control over their life. An example of this came when Marie-Laure was talking to Werner about her being brave “When I lost my sight, Werner, people said I was brave; I have no choice. I wake up and my life. Don't you do the same?” Wener replies with “Not in years. But today. Today maybe I did”. In this scene, it draws the differences between what is free will and what is predetermination. All this time she believed she did not have control over her life and that it was destined to happen. But compared to Werner she actually does have control over her life as Werner was robbed of his life. He has no control over his decisions as Werner has not lived his own life in years as he let himself be controlled and essentially predetermine his fate. From what was said it becomes clear that the author is saying that people have more control over their lives then they realize. While those who chose not to take control of their lives they become susceptible to others manipulation and lose all sense of free will. This relates back to the world that people feel as if they do not have control over their lives. But actually have more control and because of this, it connects to readers more as they have experienced the same circumstances.