The Theme Of Tragedy In 'All The Light We Cannot See'

Tragedy is continuous. During tragic times, the darkness is consuming. Nevertheless, some of the brightest lights are found in the darkest places. When persevering through tragedy, hope and determination are crucial. Sacrifices and loss can be painful, however, they are necessary during the act of perseverance. In All The Light We Cannot See, Anthony Doerr proves that hasty decisions during times of conflict are what defines true character.
Marie-Laure, a curious French blind girl is forced to leave the only home she has ever known with her father when the Nazis invade Paris. Their only possession was a single cursed stone known as the sea of flames. Marie-Laure and her father took shelter in Saint-Malo with their only living relative Uncle …show more content…
She speaks lightly, her voice echoing: ‘You need to tell me, is it in the ocean? It must be in the ocean.’ ‘It is in. We must go, mademoiselle.’ ‘Are you certain it’s in the water?’ ‘Yes.’ She climbs out, breathless.” (476). Marie-Laure is trusting. She was told the legend of the sea of flames at a young age when imagination is common and apparent. Even so, she lost her vision and the future ability to think with reason and scientific observations along with it. Therefore, she carried her belief in the story for the rest of her life. She trusted and believed in the legend of the sea of flames. Marie-Laure convinced herself that the sea of flames was responsible for all of the tragedies inflicted upon her and the world surrounding her because she wasn’t aware of another possible cause at the time. Marie-Laure believed and trusted in things with so much passion because she wasn’t able to confirm them for herself. With the sense of sight comes the ability to draw one’s own conclusions and to be independent. With the sense of hearing comes the ability to trust and to have faith in another’s words. The legend of the sea of flames was real enough for Marie-Laure when she was told it by the tour guide in the museum. Her belief in its curse and power grew even more when she actually felt the stone in all of its perfection in the palm of her hand. Not only did Marie-Laure have faith in the story of the stone but she also had faith in Werner’s confirmation of it. Marie-Laure placed the sea of flames in the water herself, in the back of her mind she knew that it was there. However, Marie-Laure was blind and could not see. To see is to believe. Marie-Laure desperately needed to know if Werner saw the stone in the ocean because that is how she would be completely relieved. When Werner responded with a yes, Marie-Laure believed him because he was the only verification she had. By implementing her