Jutta

[Sara S.]

For me, Jutta is one of my favorite characters in All The Light We Cannot See. She has a strong sense of integrity, is brave, and creative. Why do you think the author chose to include her in the story? What value is she to the plot? Finally, how does she affect Werner and his journey?

[melanie]

I think the author chose to include Jutta in the story, because she acted as a constant reminder to Werner of what it felt like when he just purely was interested in science, instead of what the academy had turned him into. Obviously, Jutta was a source of support to Werner when he left Children's Home. Jutta was always in Werner's mind, and was a reminder to Werner to keep trying. Through Jutta, Werner is still included in the story until the very end, and helps tie Werner's story to Marie-Laure's.

[simonplotkin]

Jutta was the physical manifestation of Werner's home and conscience. Whenever he acts against his better judgement, he thinks of what she would say to him. After he was accepted to the Academy, he drove himself to do things for Jutta and for his home. She is, like the girl on the swing, a constant reminder of why he must, in his mind, be determined to a fault. In a literal sense, Jutta is a way for the author to show how things are going in Germany during World War II and how German survivors were treated after the war was over.

[Ashley Yoon]

The author chose to include Jutta in the novel to further interpret Werner's emotional feelings for the readers. Jutta was possibly Werner's light and soul, anything and everthing to him. The readers get a sense an perspective of the feeling of honor and love that Jutta gave towards Werner when he accomplished anything in his interest. When Werner sent Jutta the letters with the censor marks, I think it symbolized the "slow but steady" disappearance of Jutta's existence in his life due to lack of communication and time spent with each other. Jutta is in some ways Werner's conscience and reminder of determination and care. Sara, as you mentioned in the question, you described Jutta as brave and creative. Those traits were indefinitely brought out in Werner's actions in the novel, as a constant reminder during the academy's harsh actions.

[ethanashbrook]

One reason the author included Jutta that hasn't been mentioned (to my knowledge) is the unique perspective of the Germany she provided. While other characters experienced the front lines of the war, Jutta shows us the devastating and crumbling climate back home. What happened back in Germany is just as significant to its downfall as what happened on the front lines; moral and resources were drying up. Through Jutta, we get a first hand perspective of it. "All spring the bombers come, every single night, their only goal seemingly to burn the city to its roots. Most nights the girls hurry to the end of the block and climb into a cramped shelter and are kept awake by the crashing of stonework." (Doerr 488).

[roselyn]

One of the reasons the author included Jutta was because she was and anchor for Werner. Whenever Werner started going down the wrong path at the Nazi Youth, he thought of Jutta and that brought him back. Jutta prevented him from getting completely brainwashed by the Nazis. Jutta reminded him of who he truly is and what he truly stands for. I feel that Jutta played an important role in the rescue of Marie-Laure. I believe one of the main reasons Werner decided to save Marie-Laure was because she reminded him of his sister.

Another reason for including Jutta could be to show all the different characteristic of the people in the war. Jutta stood for integrity and kindness. She also knew exactly what she stood for. Just like how Werner stood for the victims of the Nazi Youth and Marie-Laure stood for strength, perseverance, and bravery.