All The Light We Cannot See Quotes

"All The Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr demonstrates how war forces people to make difficult choices that challenge their values. World War II had an enormous impact on the novel's protagonist, Werner Pfenning. Werner got caught up in the Nazi cause which led him to betray his own principles. This is shown when the weakest cadet in Schulpforta was demanded to run and the other boys had to chase him. The author writes, "The fastest cadet is lunging for the back of the boy’s shirt. He almost has him. Black-haired Ernst is going to be caught, and Werner wonders if some part of him wants it to happen. But the boy makes it to the commandant a split second before the others come pounding past." (Doerr, 170). This highlights the ways in which

This moment illustrates the internal conflict that Werner experiences as he struggles to reconcile his personal feelings with the expectations of his superiors and the ideology of the Nazi regime. The quote also suggests that war can lead individuals to betray their friends or abandon their moral principles in the pursuit of survival. Werner's hesitation in this scene reflects his conflicted feelings and the difficult choices he faces as a soldier in the Nazi army. This conflict is a recurring theme in the novel, as characters are forced to confront the moral ambiguity of war and the consequences of their actions. Another example is when a group of cadets are ordered to pour buckets of water over a prisoner who is being punished for attempting to escape. Before it is Werner's turn to pour water over the prisoner, the author writes, "The cheers lose their gusto and a pure longing to flee floods Werner. Run.

Blink, he thinks, blink blink blink.....how could Neumann Two not have known, but of course he didn’t, because that is how things are with Neumann Two, with everybody in this unit, in this army, in this world, they do as they’re told, they get scared, they move about with only themselves in mind. Name me someone who does not." (Doerr, 368). The implication is that the circumstances of war can create a culture of conformity and self-preservation, where individuals prioritize their own safety and well-being over moral considerations. This idea ties into the broader theme of war and its effect on people, highlighting the way in which the demands of war can erode an individual's sense of morality and integrity. The pressure to conform to the expectations of those in power can be overwhelming and can make it difficult for individuals to maintain a sense of personal values or a commitment to doing what is right. A poignant expression of the overarching theme of war's devastating impact on individuals and society as a whole is demonstrated when the author writes, "Neumann One raises a single steady hand. His mouth is expressionless, but in the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, Werner can see