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All Quiet On The Western Front By Erich Maria Remarque: Critical Analysis

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Historians agree that World War I was a major war that still impacts countries all over the globe. It all started when central countries in Europe, such as Germany, Britain, and France wanted to conquer more colonies and display their powerful military strength. While these countries intended to end the war quickly, the war lasted for four arduous years from 1914 to 1918. In addition, many individuals were pressured to take part in the war because they were forced to believe that they would be considered a disgrace if they did not. All Quiet on the Western Front, a novel written by Erich Maria Remarque, recounts the experiences of a German soldier named Paul Baumer who was persuaded to fight during the four years of the war. The plot encompassed …show more content…

When Paul and his comrades attempt to protect themselves from an incoming bombardment by the French, Paul reflects on how the war has come to “[fill] [them] with ferocity, [turn] [them] into thugs, into murderers, […] this wave that multiplies [their] strength with fear and madness and greed of life, seeking and fighting for nothing but deliverance” (Remarque 114). The author utilizes the words “murderers” and “thugs” to emphasize how the soldiers have turned into inhumane, barbaric humans while participating in the war. This callous characterization suggests that Paul acts instinctively without considering his actions and the guilt that follows. The fact that Paul chooses to describe himself with such a demoralized character demonstrates how he has abandoned his morality into becoming a merciless soldier who feels no remorse for his brutal actions. In addition, Paul’s determined tone of “fighting for nothing but deliverance” indicates that he no longer has an interest in the lives of others, but only for his own survival. This dehumanization allows him to overcome his feelings of guilt and easily justify his wrongdoings. As a result of the “fear” and “madness” that he feels, he has changed mentally due to being involved in the war for such an extended period of time. Moreover, being under great pressure when fighting for one’s life can cause a …show more content…

Many individuals were emotionally scarred by atrocious scenes of the war front that led them to dehumanize themselves and were unable to regain their identity. Countries like Germany in particular ended up in a vulnerable state in the economy, which gave a gateway for Hitler to rise in power. Overall, people believed that violence from “the war to end all wars” would be the answer to solve tensions, but only causes a series of more unfortunate events to occur later on in

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