Samantha Garza
Langely
AP English
8/8/17
Pulitzer Prize- All the Light We Cannot See
Dear Judges of the Pulitzer Prize Award,
The novel, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr was rightfully selected to receive the Pulitzer Prize Award of 2015. Doerr portrayed themes of questioning nationalism in his novel that provides an “American Narrative” which relate to the experiences of people in the U.S. and with his additional literary merit of character development, Doerr rightfully received the Pulitzer Prize Award of 2015.
Doerr portrayed themes of questioning nationalism through the experiences of his characters. Nationalism was a prominent factor in World War Two for the United States as well, as it united the nation in preparation for war, encouraging pride and participation in the military. But Doerr questions whether nationalism was actually a beneficial asset. For instance, when Werner is enlisted in the german army, he witnesses brutal acts inflicted upon non-Germans. He constantly questions whether he is actually establishing order in society, “And yet what order are they making out here? The suitcases, the queues, the wailing babies, the soldiers pouring back into the cities with eternity in their eyes- in what system is order increasing?”(Doerr 355). In addition, Marie-Laure questions whether she is helping society when taking part in the resistance, “But we are the good guys. Aren’t we Uncle?’ ‘I hope so. I hope we are.’” (Doerr 360). Nationalism in the year 2014, when All the Light We Cannot See was published, continued to be a relevant factor in the U.S. After brutal displays and attacks from ISIS, the Islamic state of Iraq and Syria, nationalist feelings grew in the U.S. which increased military involvement. But nationalist feelings also created anti-muslim attitudes, which caused hate crimes against muslims in the U.S. to increase by 67%. By Doerr addressing nationalism in All the Light We Cannot See, the reader gains a new perspective on how nationalism can damage a society.
Furthermore, the literary merit of Doerr’s novel provides another reason why All the Light We Cannot See was deserving of receiving the Pulitzer Prize Award of 2015. Doerr’s character development was the most substantial factor. By allowing the reader to gain perspective from the character’s experiences, the reader is able to analyse the character and their thoughts throughout the novel. For instance, Marie-Laure views a valuable stone at the beginning of the novel that is rumored to be cursed, “ ‘Why not,” she asks, ‘Just take the diamond and throw it into the sea?’ The warder looks at her. The other children look at her. ‘When is the last time,’ one of the older boys says, ‘you saw someone throw five eiffel towers into the sea?’”(Doerr 23). From this passage, the reader can observe that by Marie-Laure valuing the ethical morals of the whimsical story over materialism; she is an imaginative, genuine character. To further prove this argument, when she spends time with her great uncle Etienne, “Marie-Laurie will indeed smell something whether because her uncle is passing coffee grounds beneath her nose; or because they really are flying over the coffee trees of borneo she does not want to decide.”(Doerr 151). This piece contributes to Doerr’s development, as the plot unfolds the reader sees how despite Marie-Laurie’s disability and the city around her taken charge by Nazis, she continues to uphold her imagination and her kind spirit. Another example of character development would be Werner’s development throughout his time in the German military academy. “Fredrick has to run four or five hundred yards, often through deep snow, and the boys race after him as if their lives depend on it. Each time he is caught; each time Werner does nothing to stop it.”(Doerr 238). This piece portrays the characterization of Werner’s fear of standing up for what is right, it represents his assimilation into the academy. Later on after Frederick’s brutal beating, “No one was punished, no one was questioned… It seems to Werner as if the boys around him are intoxicated…every ounce of their attention has been trained to ferret out weakness.”(Doerr 262-263). This shows Werner’s development as a character by showing him begin to go against assimilation and realize the brutal injustices occurring at the academy.
In conclusion, because of Doerr’s themes of questioning nationalism that provides a relevant “American Narrative” for not only the year it was published, but for the setting of, All the Light We Cannot See, the novel clearly deserved the Pulitzer Prize Award of 2015. In addition, Doerr’s literary merit through character development contributes to why All the Light We Cannot See rightfully received this award.
Sincerely,
Samantha Garza
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