Brightness Of Humanity In The War:a Thematic Study On The Novel All The Light We Cannot See

Anthony Doerr is a prominent American writer.As his second novel,All the Light We Cannot See,has received the wide popularity since it was published.It also won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 2015.So far some scholars have analyzed the themes and writing methods of the novel.However,no research has been conducted on the theme of brightness of humanity within the novel at home and abroad up to now.Through the close reading of the novel,this thesis focuses on two key elements of humanity,sympathy and forgiveness,and makes the detailed study on the theme of brightness of humanity in the novel.This thesis consists of five chapters.Chapter One introduces Anthony Doerr and his works.Then it analyzes and summarizes the research on All the Light We Cannot See at home and abroad.In the end,this chapter points out the significance of the thesis and its structure.Chapter Two expounds on the source of sympathy before WWII,namely love from family and the universal value transferred by education.Then it analyzes the positive influence of sympathy on the characters' behaviors in the phase of its formation.Meanwhile,it discusses the source of forgiveness before WWII,namely the doctrines of Christianity and the vastness of the sea.Then it analyzes the positive influence of forgiveness on the characters' behaviors in the phase of its formation.Chapter Three probes into the reasons accounting for the eclipse of sympathy and forgiveness,namely the Nazi propaganda,the confusion about personal identity and war's trauma.Then it analyzes the negative influence of the loss of sympathy and forgiveness on characters' thoughts and behaviors.Chapter Four discusses the return of the brightness of humanity and its effect.It firstly analyzes the role of childhood memories and romantic love in stimulating the return of humanity.Then it elaborates on the reasons for the return of humanity and its presentation in the novel,which is mainly revealed through Werner's rescuing Marie and his committing suicide for redemption.Meanwhile,it analyzes the reasons for the return of forgiveness and its effect of healing the war's trauma,promoting the reconciliation and transferring humanity to the next generation.Chapter Five sums up the thesis and uncovers the theme of brightness of humanity in the novel by exposing the brutality and inhuman nature of the war and pointing out the effect of humanity on bringing hopes for the victims trapped in the suffering during the war and healing the war's trauma and promoting the reconciliation after the war.In the end,this chapter briefly points out the limitations of the research and makes tentative predictions of the future study orientation of All the Light We Cannot See.