All Quiet On The Western Front :: essays research papers

The story of several schoolmates who symbolize a generation destroyed by the dehumanisation of the First World War, All Quiet on the Hesperian Front tells of the men who died, and the tragic each(prenominal)y changed lives of those who fitd. Remarque follows the story of capital of Minnesota Bumer, a young infantryman, from his last days of school to his death three eld later. Whereas the journey motif is typically used to portray a plus character development, that of Paul is deliberately the opposite. In what has been dubbed the greatest antiwar novel of all time, Remarque depicts the way in which Paul is snatched away from humanity by the ferociousness of war. However while Paul and his comrades become separated from society, and begin to blaspheme on their basic survival instincts, in their own surroundings they distillery show humane qualities such as compassion, camaraderie, support and remorse. Pauls transformation from human to soldier begins in training camping site, and is reinforced by the trauma at the front. His return home further alienates him from society, and Paul begins to ol incidentory property safe at the front with his friends. Nonetheless throughout the novel wo(e) and mortality bare Pauls true side, and he momentarily regains his former self. Bumer, the German word for tree, is an early indication that Paul must remain firmly rooted in reality to survive the brutality of war.      Even when the novel begins, all Paul has known is death, horror, fear, distress, and despair. He describes the other soldiers in his company, including his German school mates with whom he enlisted afterward regular lecturing from their school master, Kantorek. The pressures of nationalism and bravery had forced redden the most reluctant students to enlist. However weeks of essential training caused any hail the military may have held for them to be lost. Corporal Himmelstoss, the boys instructor, callously victimizes them with constant bed remaking, sweeping snow, softening stiff boot leather and weirdy through the mud. While this seems to be somewhat cruel treatment, it was in fact beneficial for the soldiers. the most important result was that it awakened in us a strong, practical sense of esprit de corps, which in the field developed into the finest social occasion that arose out of the war comradeship. (p23)The time spent at training camp prepared the boys for what was to come, by making them tough and brutal, while at the selfsame(prenominal) time creating an army that does not stop to question its orders.