The Role of Radio in 'All The Light We Cannot See'

History shows a constant rift between what humans should and should not do demonstrated through World War II’s mass genocides, racism, chaotic violence, and the removal of human rights. Objects such as radios played a huge role in this, as humanity used it as a pathway for propaganda. The device helped advance the development of war and quickened the battle simultaneously, helping German culture desensitize themselves towards public information and news so that no protests would be made; intensifying pro-Hitler and anti-Semitic culture. Germany was able to glorify Hitler figures such as Dr. Joseph Goebbels who controlled and portrayed a positive image of German culture through “radios, press, cinema, and theater”. Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See explores how this device can be used positively in detrimental times. The significance of the radio demonstrates how through this form of meaningful communication and connection, the characters, Marie-Laure, Werner, and the citizens in the war are able to help others through risking their own well-being, demonstrating the pursuit of love. The radio portrays the role of memories for the characters. It drives the plot forward as their origins are tied to the radio; connected by Marie-Laure’s grandfather’s broadcast and radios. They are able to show this pursuit because they are willing to go to extreme lengths to connect with people that matter to them. Through the radio and its abilities that bring people together, Anthony Doerr brings to light the life-saving quality it has.

For Werner, the radio has played a prevalent role in his life and is most commonly intertwined with his memories and beliefs. Werner demonstrates an instant connection with his first reconfiguration of a radio as he, “swallows back his tears” (Doerr 33) when it works. His social status and the mental state proves that even the poorest of people can have access to this universal communication device. Werner proves that despite living in this state, he is smart and capable. His connection with the radio extends towards his sister as “he watches his sister’s face, motionless except for her eyelids” (Doerr 34) when showing her the device. Werner sets an example for his sister, that their abilities and beliefs are not confined to their own mind, but can extend to others. His love for science and the radio is instant and provides him with an escape to contact things that are beyond the walls of the orphanage, “the litte radio… between them all like a miracle”. Dorrer hints that Werner has a bigger purpose, and in turn, the radio leads him to the army. Though associated with good memories, the radio can simultaneously invoke bad aspects of violence into his mind. He and other children are imposed with the necessity of genocide and the justification of the means of violence: “only through the hottest fires can purification be achieved. Only through the harshest tests can God’s chosen rise” (Doerr 63). This brainwashing propaganda makes Werner believe that the Germans are good guys and by doing so, is corrupted by incorrect beliefs. Jutta attempts to convince him of their diabolic actions but only leads to the siblings to become distant. However, his ideal of the war changes as he alludes to his early memories with Jutta and the radio broadcast, “He hears Jutta's voice: open your eyes and see what you can with them before they close forever” (Doerr 409). His shift in behaviour causes him to “walk fast to the hotel” (Doerr 409) and change his motives for what is morally right and wrong. Werner realizes that there is a bigger purpose than what is being told to him, inclining him to save and protect Marie-Laure. At times of doubt and contemplation or when using the radio, he thinks of Jutta as a positive influence and sees that war brings corruption and lack of compassion or empathy. He rejects his imposed beliefs as the thought of Jutta makes him feel guilty and resentful.

Marie-Laure’s relationship with the radio is representative salvation and hope. Initially, her connection with the radio seems distant as it, “begins to disappear”. The loss of communication in her town sets up the worry and fear of mass genocide and violence that will prevail later on. The radio connects her with her great-uncle and her grandfather, establishing a more personal and meaningful connection with the radio, “ Etienne secures a headset over Marie-Laure’s ears… ‘whisper those scripts, the ones your grandfather and I recorded” (Doerr 159). She finds a somewhat of safety as it is “weaving some kind of protective screen around them”. She is able to establish a connection with Etienne in his vulnerable state, and in turn, he discovers that he has someone that understands him. This sets up the possibility of connection of other people and shows that they will use it again to communicate with others abroad. She then uses the radio to help her uncle risking her life as Von Rumpel attempts to kill her, providing a sort of safety for her and to have Etienne “hear a flicker of hope”. She wants to comfort Etienne and the only way to do so is for her to “bring the microphone to her lips” (Doerr 391). During times of fear, she reverts to the radio as her salvation and once again the radio connects the protagonists again as Werner hears the broadcast.

The radio is able to unite people in times of need and pushes the plot forward. As propaganda was circulating, the broadcast Werner and Jutta were told at a young age that they must be cautious and to examine everything before it is taken away from them, “Open your eyes, concludes the man, and see what you can with them before they close forever” (Doerr 48). The radio promotes a connection to other places as a “piano comes on, plays a song to Werner” (Doerr 48), alluding to Clair de Lune, as he listens to Marie-Laure’s grandfather’s tapes. Werner is optimistic about what will happen in the future as “the air streaming with possibility” (Dorrer 48) uniting Marie-Laure and Werner early on in their childhood without physically meeting. These connections lead to something much more real when Werner uses Marie-Laure’s radio broadcasts to find her and save her life. In addition, this foreshadows a positive change that the radio brings later in the novel. Just as Marie-Laure's grandfather is broadcasted on the radio, her and her great-uncle do the same for a purpose bigger than themselves; to bring comfort to those across the world, “When Etienne breaks it open, there is yet another piece of paper inside...his mild voice speaks numbers into the garret”. Marie is willing to help others and believes that she and her great uncle are good people by doing so: “But we are the good guys. Aren’t we, uncle?” “I hope so. I hope we are”. Etienne raises hesitation because he worries about the consequences and what the act of ‘treason’ will bring to them. They are a primary source of information being sent to the outside world, giving connection to thousands of people. The radio drives the protagonists together as Werner tells Marie that her grandfather “used that transmitter she has. Who broadcast lessons about science. When he was a boy, he used to listen to them with his sister”. They have an instant connection revealing their similarities of being compassionate and willing to save lives. Werner respects and adores her grandfather inspiring him to study science. Though opposing sides, Werner makes Marie-Laure feel that there are good people in the world and that she is safe. Two worlds collide and there is a curious tension of why Werner had come to save Marie.

Anthony Doerr comments upon on the importance of communication and how common objects such as a radio as tremendous power. Using this fleeting device, he illustrates that it can be life-saving in a world of destruction. In addition, he critiques the war’s motives of communication through radios, as it has the power to do good or evil, but it just depends on who is using the object. The characters connect with the radio on a deeper level with it tieing to their families and the tragedies in the past. Through this, they comprehend that their strength is important and connections with others in this war are unpredictable and unstable.