Werner's Death

[millaberemski]

As we all know, Werner died from stepping on a land mine. Do you think that he could've done anything differently to veer himself away from death? Or, do you think he died at the right time for the right reasons? Why or why not?

[grace]

I think that Werner did die at the "right" time because before he died he redeemed himself for the wrongs he committed in Hitler youth group by saving Marie-Laure. Also I believe with all that happened to him, for example Frederick's injury and the death of the child in the closet, the guilt would have overwhelmed him and I don't think he would have been able to live with himself so his accidental death I believe came at a good time.

[melanie]

I think death was inevitable for Werner considering his state of being by the time he had saved Marie-Laure. The author wrote about his sickness, and he seemed very delirious. Even if he had not died from stepping on the land mine, I believe he would've died from disease. I agree with Grace that he died at the right time, because not only did Werner make amends for maybe, mistakes, that he made during the Hitler youth and during the war, but also, if the author had let Werner live for a little longer, the story would've felt a bit forced. At this point in Werner's state, he would've needed a giant miracle to get better, and the whole time throughout the novel, all of the events were very realistic, so for the author to revive Werner wouldn't really have 'fit in' with the rest of the novel.

[anthonywang]

I believe Werner did die at the right time for the right reasons. Werner, who felt that he was doing the wrong thing at the Nazi military academy, redeemed himself when he went against his morals and saved Marie-Laure. Although he had not written to Jutta in months, did his best to stay connected with her and never stopped thinking about her. As Volkheimer says, it’s all “for Jutta.” Werner’s sister was a big reason why he saved Marie-Laure and killed von Rumpel. Werner’s sickness was slowly killing him and the guilt and shame was too overwhelming dying, was in fact, a reliever. I agree with Melanie because the death came at a good time because Werner could live no longer with all the crimes he and his team had committed, such as killing innocent people to destroying buildings, the memories and feeling of guilt was just too much. After everything he saw and everything he experienced, how could he return to normal life? Werner walking over the landmine was really the best for him. In my opinion, Werner could not have done anything differently to veer himself away from death. Yes, he could have tried try to forget all the things he had done in the past, but what's the point in trying to do that when you know you have committed so much crime in your life? Even if he did survive, Werner would have lived the rest of his life with numerous regrets.

[ellahardiee]

I believe Werner died at the right time, under somewhat predictable circumstances. His mental health had been deteriorating rapidly following the unnecessary death of the child in the closet, as he was tortured by overwhelming guilt and unnerved by visions of her "ghost". Marie Laure was a temporary light in his life, but as soon as he rescued her and assisted in her escape to a better life, the realization that he was now alone in the dark world was unbearable for Werner. He was suffering a slow death, weighed down by his experiences and mistakes in battle. His death was avoidable, so I believe he intentionally killed himself. He ignored the American soldier who was shouting at him not to cross the fence, who attempted to save him. As Anthony stated, even if he did survive, or hadn't attempted at all, Werner go about his life haunted and disgusted by his actions. Werner's self-hatred toward the end of his life presented to the reader that he no longer saw a point in living. His special connection with his sister had almost completely disappeared, he had no place to call "home", and he hadn't bonded with any other soldiers in the camp. Any person in a positive state of mind would have the patience and desperation to reach out to other survivors, but Werner simply was not in a good place, seeing death as his only escape.

[Baaz Jhaj]

Werner intentionally killed himself. He was wasting away, not just physically, but mentally. The one bright light that existed for him, Marie Laure, was snuffed when she left for a better life. And the unbearable guilt drove him mad.

[faithadler]

I believe that Werner certainly could have avoided his death, but I also believe that the way he died was very in line with who he was. He died trying to escape. Some could argue that he was wrongly put in a POW camo, that his intentions did not line up with the Nazi party, and I would agree. I think that Doerr took him from us at just the perfect time for him, after he had wronged his rights, and finally was at peace. I think that what happened was very unexpected, but it also left us wondering what the repercussions would be of the event. For me, it was a surprise that kept me interested, and a final emotional blow that really brought the book together, and to a close.

[hannahdorros]

I believe that Werner wanted did not want to live anymore and was fully aware of what he was doing. Although his death seems like a little ending for a main character I believe that the fact he died by stepping into a land mine was a really well thought out death for Werner. As Werner grows up he wishes to become a scientist, but is faced with the decision to work in coal mines or devote himself to the Nazi community. I find it ironic that even though he chose to devote himself to the Nazi's instead of working in a land mine for the rest of his life, he ended up dying in one anyways.