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All Quiet On The Western Front Futility Of War

2516 Words11 Pages

Paradize Martell
05/10/2023
English 1
Mr.Schipper
All Quiet on the Western Front Assessment Paul's multifaceted perspective of the war serves to develop themes of the dehumanization of soldiers and the power dynamics embedded in war, illustrating the devastating consequences of warfare on the individual soldier and their views of society. The novel “All Quiet On the Western Front'' by Enrich Maria Remarque and the documentary film “They Shall Not Grow Old; showcase the futility of war and the challenges this affects due to boundaries the human psyche must endure to survive. Moreover, the psychological toll of war acts as a conduit for its destructive force, leading to the deindividuation …show more content…

Paul had believed his fight was for a just cause, one worth dying for. Despite this. With the continuation of the war and its drag of terror, Paul begins to question the validity of war and the stances his commanders take on the war, the purpose for fighting the enemy is shattered. In Remarque's novel All Quiet On The Western Front, he details, “A Word of command has made these silent figures our enemies; a word of command might transform them into our friends.” This quote exemplifies how even though they are on opposite sides of the war they are not inherently enemies but rather forced into the position by their commanding officers. It is not personal animosity or lasting hatred that employs the soldiers to kill the common enemy soldier, instead, it is the doing of their superiors who forced these men into the roles of judge, jury, and executioner. Highlighting the arbitrary nature of war and the control authority and leadership take in shaping the course of the conflict. On page 205, it claims, “Now just why would a French blacksmith or a French shoemaker want to attack us? No, it is merely the rulers.” This statement exercises the power dynamics held over soldiers throughout the war. Soldiers are pawns in the political games of their leaders. The power structure is implicated through fear, punishment, and violence, thus, creating a culture of blind obedience and compliance, giving soldiers like Paul or Albert Kropp (one of Paul's comrades) no agency over the outcomes of their lives. Did these young men stand a chance with their system or was the system too powerful? Paul and his comrades like Tjaden, Kat, and Albert were all controlled and manipulated by the higher powers, the emotional turmoil of the trauma, fear, isolation, and psychological pressure reframed the soldiers to the whims of their commanders, impacting their ability to critically or independently

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we meet our four main characters, Paul Baumer, Stanislaus Katczinsky Muller, and Tjaden. In this book we see how these men are devastated by Germany's infantry, as it rips apart their humanity, leaving them as empty shells deprived of their souls. As we continue to see how long they continue to progress as individuals, we see them devastated by all-out war. Chapter two introduces us to Corporal Himmelstoss, the power-hungry man put in charge of training the soldiers, who treats them with inhumane cruelty and complete disrespect. As they are able to escape his evil tyranny, they are confronted with the death of their friend Franz Kemmerich, who dies at the end of chapter two, leaves them with the only concern of who will get his boots.

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This passage shows how the soldiers are emotionally and mentally drained by the horrors of war, and how they feel disconnected from the world they once knew. The

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In a time of great nationalism, Remarque showed the true horrors of war which many did not know, for they were told war was noble. All Quiet On the Western Front breaks the illusion painted by the leaders of all countries, showing the true loss of life, and mental and physical effects that war had on the soldiers. As a veteran soldier from the Western Front himself, Remarque experienced the horrors that were not mentioned when he was told to sign up and help his country. Remarque tells how the many young men forced to fight in the war under their older commanders had their lives completely destroyed, even if they survived.

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In the novel All Quiet on the Western Front soldiers admit themselves in the war and struggle more than just staying alive. Oftentimes their lives as regular humans are threatened. Remarques purpose in writing this novel was to show how the war dehumanizes the soldiers,how comradity is created during war, and how their life after war is changed. One of the most common motifs throughout the novel is how soldiers in the war are dehumanized and turned into killing machines. In an article written by Common Dreams a story is shared about a veteran who simply became dehumanized.

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All Quiet On The Western Front Theme Of The Destruction And Pointlessness Of War

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