In the novel, All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr, lightness and darkness are prominent motifs that recur throughout the text, both literally and metaphorically. The light and dark binary provides a better understanding of how the themes of hope, despair, and morality can coexist even in the darkest days of the characters’ experiences. Amidst the darkness of World War II, shared language and community become a light against the atrocities of the Nazi Regime.
The use of light and darkness in the novel is not limited to the physical sense but also extends to the metaphorical sense. Nature can provide a break from the hardships of life. Madame Manec leads Marie-Laure Leblanc through the streets and to the ocean. Marie-Laure explores the beach and collects shells from the
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In many sections of the novel, the characters are existing in a literal darkness. The bombing of Saint-Malo creates a stark contrast between the bright, sunny days and the dark, threatening nights
“So many windows are dark. It’s as if the city has become a library of books in an unknown language, the houses great shelves of illegible volumes, the lamps all extinguished. But there is a machine in the attic at work again. A spark in the night” (348). Doerr illustrates a vivid description of the city in darkness during wartime. The city being compared to a library full of unreadable books emphasizes the idea that the citizens of town are unable to communicate with each other. However, the machine in the attic introduces a glimmer of hope. The machine suggests that despite the darkness and isolation, there are still people working to create something exceptional. Doerr captures the desolate and ruthless atmosphere of Saint-Malo and suggests the resilience and determination of the citizens even in their darkest