One Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

[ellahardiee]

Especially towards the end of the novel , the author emphasizes Marie-Laure's reading of "One Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" , and her transmission of the story on the radio, which Werner hears. Why is hearing Marie-Laure read "One Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" so striking for Werner? How do the characters' situations parallel to the plot in "One Thousand Leagues"? Why do you think Doerr chose to include excerpts from that particular book? What is its significance, other than being Marie-Laure's only escape from reality?

[Eric]

I think that the reading of "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" was striking to Werner because it reminded him of home. Many times when he would feel bouts of emotion, it would be because he was reminded of home. Perhaps Marie-Laure's voice reminded him of Jutta's voice and listening to a story on the radio made him feel nostalgia for when he would listen to Etienne's brother's broadcasts on the radio.