Werner and Marie-Laure are two of the main characters in the novel "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr. Both characters are shaped by their experiences during World War II, and their contrasting backgrounds and personalities create a fascinating juxtaposition.
Werner is a young German boy who grows up in an orphanage in Zollverein. He has a natural aptitude for engineering and science, which is recognized by his teachers and earns him a place at a prestigious military academy. Despite his intelligence and determination, Werner is a conflicted character. He is aware of the atrocities being committed by the Nazi regime but feels powerless to do anything about it. His internal struggle is further complicated by his loyalty to his fellow soldiers and his desire to protect his sister Jutta.
Marie-Laure is a blind French girl who lives with her father in Paris. She is intelligent and resourceful, and she uses her other senses to navigate the world around her. Marie-Laure is also a lover of books, and her father instills in her a love of science and learning. When the Germans occupy Paris, Marie-Laure and her father flee to Saint-Malo, where they live with her great-uncle Etienne. There, Marie-Laure becomes involved in the resistance movement, and her courage and determination are put to the test.
Despite their different backgrounds and experiences, Werner and Marie-Laure share some common traits. Both are intelligent, curious, and determined. They are also both deeply affected by the war and the atrocities they witness. However, their reactions to these experiences are different. Werner becomes increasingly disillusioned with the Nazi regime and eventually tries to sabotage their efforts. Marie-Laure, on the other hand, becomes more committed to the resistance and more determined to fight against the Germans.
In conclusion, Werner and Marie-Laure are two complex and multi-dimensional characters who are shaped by their experiences during World War II. Their contrasting backgrounds and personalities create a fascinating juxtaposition, and their reactions to the war and the atrocities they witness are different. However, both characters share common traits such as intelligence and determination, and their stories highlight the human cost of war and the importance of standing up for what is right.