Comparison Of Humanity In Wonder Woman And All Quiet On The Western Front

Ava Sanz

Ms. DiGiacomo

US History

14 March 2023

The Deterioration Of Humanity Through Film

Millions of innocent people dying, yet soldiers don’t even bat an eye. Hundreds of years ago, society became a place in which citizens died left and right, soldiers never came home and humanity begged for restoration. Films such as Wonder Woman and All Quiet on the Western Front really exemplify the flaws of humanity during WW1. In the WW1 films Wonder Woman and All Quiet on the Western Front, there are similar views of humanity in both movies with the initial grim view of humanity shown, and people succumbing to evil easily; these dehumanizing factors are more predominant in All Quiet on the Western Front. However, in the film Wonder Woman there

The war started in 1914 and lasted for four years until the guns fell silent. In the context of Wonder Women, Germany's invasion of Belgium and involvement in the war led to a stalemate on the Western Front causing years of trench warfare. This was similarly portrayed in All Quiet on the Western Front, except this film takes on the German perspective and focuses on conflict with the French. The British began fighting for their lives deep in trenches on the Western Front in Belgium. There were fortifications running from the North Sea to the Alps. The Germans awaited the British on the other side of the trenches which tested humanity. The French, Germans and British all came to terms with the idea that to make progress in the war that open warfare was not necessary. Unlike the United States, they used open warfare in 1916 and their re-entry in 1918. Because of this tactic, far more Americans died than expected straining society. The Americans helped drive the wedge to progress the war and after the war the United States emerged as a global superpower. There were many downfalls for the countries involved with depressions occurring and soon led to the League of Nations (A&E Television Networks). Even after the armistice signing , the effects were equally as painful for mankind. Democracy failed all around the globe, Europe slipped back into fighting with other countries and the US. This caused humanity to deteriorate

All Quiet on the Western Front highlights the dreadful parts of combat and dehumanizing aspects of war. The film also relays the disillusionment of soldiers as they witness the true brutalities of war. The emotional toll that the soldiers have to endure results in trauma for years down the line. Similarly, Wonder Woman explores the devastating effects of war on humanity and presents a bleak view of human nature and the potential for destruction that lies within all humans. Despite the two films' differences as far as the content goes, both exemplify themes of loss and trauma as well as the aftermath of war. Though these films are similar, the audience can see far more brutality portrayed in All Quiet on the Western Front as opposed to Wonder Woman which presents the idea that compassion can overcome the utmost destructive forces. Society will absorb the important core concepts of these exceptional films for centuries down the