Analyzing the Historical Events of World War I in Relation to Paul Bäumer's Personal History from "All Quiet on the Western Front" by Erich Maria Remarque
“I am young, I am twenty years old; yet I know nothing of life but despair, death, fear, and fatuous superficiality cast over an abyss of sorrow. I see how peoples are set against one another, and in silence, unknowingly, foolishly, obediently, innocently slay one another.”
― Erich Maria Remarque(1898-1970), "All Quiet on the Western Front"
The Military Force of Germany and Its Bravado
Erich Maria Remarque |
The Destruction of War
The Tyranny of Schoolteachers and Other Influential Adults
The novel also portrays the tyranny of schoolteachers and other influential adults who influenced the lives of young men like Paul Bäumer. Before enlisting in the army, Paul was a student who was taught by schoolteachers who instilled in him the idea of patriotism and nationalism. The schoolteachers and other influential adults were instrumental in shaping the minds of young men like Paul, and they played a significant role in fueling the war effort.
The Insanity of Modern Warfare
The novel "All Quiet on the Western Front" also highlights the insanity of modern warfare. The soldiers had to deal with the use of chemical weapons, the constant barrage of artillery shells, and the fear of death. The soldiers were not only fighting against the enemy soldiers but also against the harsh and brutal conditions of war. The novel portrays the psychological impact of the war on soldiers like Paul Bäumer, who had to deal with the trauma of seeing their friends and comrades die in front of their eyes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the novel "All Quiet on the Western Front" offers a glimpse into the life of soldiers during World War I. The novel vividly portrays the destruction caused by the war, the tyranny of schoolteachers and other influential adults, and the insanity of modern warfare. The protagonist of the novel, Paul Bäumer, is a young German soldier who enlists in the army with his friends after being swept away by the nationalistic fervor that was prevalent in Germany at that time. The novel is a powerful account of the impact of war on individuals and society as a whole.
Reference
1. All Quiet on the Western Front. (2022, October 7). Rotten Tomatoes. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/all_quiet_on_the_western_front_2022
2. All Quiet on the Western Front | Summary, Characters, Analysis, & Facts. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/All-Quiet-on-the-Western-Front-novel
3. All Quiet on the Western Front - Wikipedia. (2022, October 1). All Quiet on the Western Front - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Quiet_on_the_Western_Front
4. All Quiet on the Western Front Quotes by Erich Maria Remarque. (n.d.). All Quiet on the Western Front Quotes by Erich Maria Remarque. https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/2662852-im-westen-nichts-neues
5. Eksteins, M. (1980). All Quiet on the Western Front and the Fate of a War. Journal of Contemporary History, 15(2), 345–366. http://www.jstor.org/stable/260517
6. Woodbridge, Steven. (2020). All Quiet on the Western Front: A Research Note.
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