Dr. Hauptmann Character Analysis in All the Light We Cannot See

An intelligent and powerful professor at the National Institute school that Werner attends, Dr. Hauptmann is at first a powerful ally for Werner, giving his bright student science projects and special assignments that win him the good graces of the entire faculty. But when Werner begins to express his doubts about the morality of the Nazi regime, Hauptmann exposes his true pettiness and spitefulness: he lies about Werner’s age, forcing him to be sent to fight in the German army.

Dr. Hauptmann Quotes in All the Light We Cannot See

The All the Light We Cannot See quotes below are all either spoken by Dr. Hauptmann or refer to Dr. Hauptmann. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

World War II, the Nazis, and the French Resistance Theme Icon

). Note: all page numbers and citation info for the quotes below refer to the Fourth Estate edition of All the Light We Cannot See published in 2015.

Why always triangles? What is the purpose of the transceiver they are building? What two points does Hauptmann know, and why does he need to know the third? “It’s only numbers, cadet,” Hauptmann says, a favorite maxim. “Pure math. You have to accustom yourself to thinking that way.”

Related Characters: (speaker), (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 184

Explanation and Analysis:

Dr. Hauptmann Character Timeline in All the Light We Cannot See

The timeline below shows where the character Dr. Hauptmann appears in All the Light We Cannot See. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

One day, Werner and his peers are taught by an old doctor named Hauptmann. Hauptmann gives every student a small metal box and tells them to build a simple... (full context)

After his spectacular performance as an engineer for Dr. Hauptmann, Werner is summoned to the technical sciences professors, and asked about his interest in the... (full context)

Interconnectedness and Separation Theme Icon

Werner writes a letter to Jutta, telling his sister that Dr. Hauptmann is planning to recommend him to high-ranking Nazi officials, who’ll set him up with a... (full context)

...for his weakness, and slowly other boys follow him. Werner savors his evenings with Dr. Hauptmann, who tells him about relativity, quantum mechanics, and other cutting-edge science. Werner thinks of the... (full context)

...loves classical music, and savors the work of Bach, Mozart, and Vivaldi. In the evenings, Hauptmann puts Werner to work on a transceiver. Werner asks repeatedly what this device is for,... (full context)

...then beaten for failing to do so. Werner tries to focus on his work in Hauptmann’s laboratory. Hauptmann continues to lavish Werner with praise. (full context)

...for Frederick by helping him with work and polishing his boots. One day in class, Hauptmann discusses the principle of entropy with his students. Entropy laws dictate that every process “must... (full context)

Late at night, Werner, Volkheimer, and Dr. Hauptmann go outside to test their transceiver. The purpose of the device, Hauptmann finally reveals, is... (full context)

...looks out for his friend, helping him whenever he can. Late at night, Werner and Hauptmann test their transceiver with Volkheimer’s help. (full context)

...to the teachers—they wonder why Jutta is asking so many questions. Only Werner’s work for Hauptmann keeps him safe from bullying and from Bastian. One evening, Werner is working in the... (full context)

It is January, 1942, and Werner has just asked Dr. Hauptmann to be sent back to his home in the orphanage. Hauptmann is furious with Werner’s... (full context)

In 1942, Dr. Hauptmann calls Werner to his office. Hauptmann reports that he’s being called to Berlin to serve... (full context)

...16. Werner doesn’t understand, as this information is false. The commandant informs Werner that Dr. Hauptmann has pointed out the age discrepancy. Hauptmann has arranged for Werner to be transferred to... (full context)

...to radio broadcasts. He thinks about his time with Jutta, and his education with Dr. Hauptmann. All this has led him to being a soldier for the German army. (full context)

...There, they enjoy the fun of the town—good food and beer, etc. Werner remembers Dr. Hauptmann, and imagines him as a young man in Vienna, enjoying the nightlife. He wonders if... (full context)