Essay on All The Light We Can Not See By Anthony Doerr

Adversity plays a significant role in an individual's life as it shapes one's identity. Suffering and adversity teach individuals new insights into themselves and others. In any event, obstacles expose people to new experiences, and when they overcome them, they acquire confidence, morals, values, and self-worth. This development can be seen throughout Anthony Doerr's historical fiction All The Light We Cannot See, which illustrates a narrative about the many perspectives of World War II. Doerr conveys how hardships shape individuals' identities through the characters Marie-Laure, Etienne Leblanc, Werner, Daniel Leblanc, Jutta, and Volkheimer. In All the Light We Cannot See, Doerr explores the idea that although they go through a series of global, physical, and emotional adversity it teaches them how to cope with their circumstances. Allowing the protagonists to form new connections and ties that helped them survive the war, overcome trauma, and live their lives moving forward.

Despite turning blind at an early age, Marie-Laure refuses to accept a confined and secluded life. Instead, she resolves to learn braille and navigate the world by studying tiny size replicas of locations. Her efforts in becoming self-sufficient and resourceful stem from her passion of wishing to study and "see" as much of the world as possible. Exploring the seaside, touching natural specimens, and reading adventure novels provide Marie-Laure delight. Between 1940 and 1942, Marie-Laure became increasingly engaged and empowered. While she is distraught and agonized by her father's departure, Madame Manec is astute enough to figure out what would help her heal. Now that Daniel is no longer in the picture, there is no one to prevent Marie-Laure from leaving the house. Madame Manec acknowledges that Marie-Laure must learn to be self-sufficient in order to survive her current situation. Marie-Laure is revitalized and finds fresh hope after coming into contact with the natural world and the new atmosphere of the seaside. She has developed resilience as a result of having to cope with the loss of her sight, and she is certain that she can carry on without her father. Marie-Laure's curiosity and drive to learn everything keep her from succumbing to sadness and demonstrates how nature may be a healing factor. Marie- Laure's other senses connect her to the water despite her inability to sight. The illustration of the water indicates that Marie-Laure is experiencing a type of rebirth, a journey from child to adult. She is effectively reincarnated as a more powerful figure in the seas.

Suffering and difficulty cause people to develop fresh perspectives about themselves and others. When thrust into unfamiliar surroundings, one must learn to cope with everything. Challenges expose individuals to new experiences, and once overcome, individuals get a boost of confidence. This is depicted through Marie- Laure, going outside was more than her entering a foreign environment, it was her second chance at life. Once she stepped out those doors, the life she knew of being protected by others and living by others' rules perished. Marie-Laure's growing world participation includes the realization that she can take action to defend what she believes in, providing her with a sense of meaning and purpose. “To shut your eyes is to guess nothing of blindness.” (ch. 27) The quote illustrates the concept of vision and sight, with the irony that Marie-Laure has the ability to "see" more than other sighted people. This is supported by a sequence of imagery of things Marie-Laure can hear and feel both up close and far away. She notices the beauty, tranquility, and humanity that others overlook.

All things considered, adversity has the effect of reawakening abilities that might otherwise be latent in more tragic times. We perceive ourselves and advance as individuals, and we uncover our untapped potential. This growth is portrayed in Marie-Laure as she enjoys life in her own unique viewpoint. Without tribulation, there is no progress. Rather than avoiding difficulties, it is important to embrace them. Human experience encompasses hardship. There is no way to completely avoid it. So, it is better to surrender to the situation and approach it as a valuable life lesson. Despite Marie-Laure's physical weakness, she knows that there is more to life than hiding. She could have thought that being blind was a dead-end but instead she found ways in which she can cope with her disability and ultimately turn her “curse” into a blessing. She manages to use her other senses to enhance her surroundings. Which is a sense most people take for granted. It makes one wonder how much more advantage Marie-Laure truly has over us.