Katharine Best answers “[Spoiler Alert] Why do you think the...”

Genetta asked this question about All the Light We Cannot See:

[Spoiler Alert] Why do you think the author decided to add the rape scene? Does it add anything to the characters' arcs? Does it propel the plot forward? Does anything result from that scene? Frau Elena, Jutta, and the other three girls were already obviously miserable. The reader has already experienced the cruelty of war. Why was the rape scene necessary?

Katharine Best No, it wasn't necessary. In fact, it felt odd to suddenly insert this aspect of cruelty to such a suffering world. Unless, it was simply to put a fact…moreNo, it wasn't necessary. In fact, it felt odd to suddenly insert this aspect of cruelty to such a suffering world. Unless, it was simply to put a fact about the conditions of war and women out there. The story could have gone on without it in my opinion.(less)

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Kris I agree. It was not necessary, especially when we'd heard so little about Jutta at that point. It is historically factual that such assaults happened, ...more
Aug 15, 2015 04:45AM · flag

LaNise I think it was. Not that I wanted to read it, but it shows how strong the girls were, especially Jutta, from obvious reasons. Claudia for example wasn ...more
Jul 13, 2020 04:14PM · flag

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All the Light We Cannot See

by Anthony Doerr (Goodreads Author)

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