Marie-Laure's Father

[sophielowy]

In the novel, Marie suffers greatly from the loss of her father. The change in her life greatly impacts and shapes Marie as a person. In the novel it says, "I'm sorry it turned out like this" (Doerr 289). In the very few letters Marie receives from her father the contents say nothing more than that he is safe. In the end of the novel Marie's father never returned and what happened to the locks man remains a mystery. How would the novel be different if Marie's father did come back? Would Marie still be the same girl she was at the end of the book?

[janepearson]

I believe that if Marie's father did come back at the end of the book, Marie would not be the same person she was at the end of the book, when her father didn't return. I think that each challenge Marie faced, created a character with a strong heart, and a young woman who endured her obstacles with great fortitude. Without this event, Marie would not be the character I believe Doerr wanted the reader to see her as. Which is strong and able to overcome any barrier leading to who she is meant to become.

[faithadler]

I believe that Marie-Laure's father not returning did take a great toll on her, but I do not believe her character would have developed much differently. Sure, her father not returning likely feuled her with a little more determination for revenge, but it seemed that she already was well headed into the direction of becoming the person she was at the beginning of the story. I believe that if her father had come back, he might have ended up putting everyone in more danger near the end, as hsi character would be likely to push his luck too far when committing rebellion. The way I see it, he either would have gotten arrested with Etienne, gotten at least himself killed, or everyone else with him. When the locksmith is added back into the picture, I do not see many positive outcomes.