Attraction

[melanie]

When Werner saves Marie-Laure from von Rumpel, he realizes that he likes Marie-Laure. However before this, Werner had not had any interaction with her, so what was it about Marie-Laure that attracted Werner? Do you think Werner's feelings towards Marie-Laure had anything to do with her grandfather being the Frenchman from the broadcast?

[stefanie]

When Werner went to the academy, the school drained him of life and his own mind. When Werner was helping Volkheimer find illegal radios, it was as though Werner's life was dull and meaningless (much like the coal miners he described) until he encountered the girl with the red cape, which changed something in Werner. When he saw Marie-Laure, it reminded him of himself before going to the academy. He was given a second chance at life and realizing what was important again, hence the quotes "Consider a single piece glowing in your family's stove. See it, children? That chunk of coal was once a green plant, a fern or reed that lived one million years ago, or maybe two million, or maybe one hundred million" (Doerr 48), and "Open your, concludes the man, and see what you can with them before they close forever" (Doerr 48).

[Sara S.]

I agree with Stefanie that Marie-Laure reminded Werner of the days when he thought and acted for himself. In addition, I believe that Marie-Laure's courage is a fundamental part of Werner's attraction to Marie-Laure. Werner may serve in the German army, but he lacks the courage and confidence needed to speak out for himself and others. Marie-Laure's bravery, in a way, is the missing piece that Werner has been lacking ever since he joined the academy. Of course, Marie Laure does not view herself as brave. She says, '"When I lost my sight, Werner, people said I was brave. When my father left, people said I was brave. But it is not bravery; I have no choice. I wake up and live my life. Don't you do the same?"' (Doerr 469). Werner replies, '"Not in years. But today. Today maybe I did."' (Doerr 469).

To answer the second question, the fact that Marie-Laure's grandfather was the Frenchman on the broadcast was definitely a contributing factor in Werner's attraction to Marie-Laure. When Werner was little, he had listened to the science broadcasts that Etienne had recorded. Werner says, '"There was a man who used that transmitter you have. Who broadcast lessons about science. When I was a boy. I used to listen to them with my sister."' (Doerr 470). Through her grandfather, Marie-Laure is a living reminder of Werner's time before the strict and narrow-minded academy, when his love of science and engineering began to take hold.

[grace]

I agree with both Stefanie and Sara but I also believe that when he met Marie-Laure she reminded him of her sister Jutta. Jutta in the book was depicted as a strong, independent, and curious girl and so was Marie-Laure I believe Marie-Laure's personality intrigued Werner and it had a sense of familiarity to his sister and thats why he began to like her.

[hannahnegri]

I believe that Werner is attracted to Marie-Laure because his memory of her is untainted by the war that he lives in. She has a connection to his past, and his happy moments, because she is the granddaughter of the French broadcaster whom he and his sister listened to. By the time he finally meets her, she already has a positive connection in his mind. Even his sister has negative connections in his mind, as do his friends Frederick and Volkheimer.