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All Quiet On The Western Front Analysis Essay

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All Quiet on the Western Front: Analysis
In the literary work “All Quiet on the Western Front” by Erich Maria Remarque, the readers are shown the brutal physical and mental tolls of war. In the novel, dehumanization is explored through the perspective of soldiers and the impact of war on them. Throughout the story, Remarque uses objects and symbolism to vividly portray the harsh reality of war. The theme is crucial to understanding the novel's message and provides insight into the motivations of the characters. "All Quiet on the Western Front" examines the human condition and the devastating effects of war.
The novel is set during World War I, a period in history with extreme violence, destruction, and loss of life. Remarque's novel shows a brutal picture of the war. It captures the experiences of young soldiers like Paul Baumer who were thrust into the conflict with …show more content…

At the beginning of the novel, it states, "We had to recognize that our generation was more to be trusted than theirs. They surpassed us only in phrases and cleverness. The first bombardment showed us our mistake, and under it, the world as they had taught it to us broke in pieces."(13) Paul and his comrades are idealistic young men who are eager to serve their country and defend their beliefs. As they experience the horrors of war, they are forced to confront the harsh reality that war is not what they thought it would be. They witness death and destruction on a massive scale, and their ideals are shattered. The loss of innocence is particularly used by Paul, who is forced to cope with the fact that his life has been forever changed by the war. He realizes that he will never be able to return to his old life and that he has lost something that can never be recovered. This loss of innocence is a central theme in the novel, as it highlights the impact that war can have on individuals and society as a

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