All Quiet On The Western Front Soldier And Soldiers Relationship

807 Words4 Pages

In Chapter Eight of All Quiet on the Western Front(1958), readers received an in-depth look at the relationship between soldiers and Russian prisoners. Many will believe that these men who are from two different groups do not have anything in common, whereas they are living in similar situations. War is like a prison for these soldiers in their own way, they are trapped mentally and physically in the state of war. Soldiers and prisoners have significant similarities due to the lack of basic needs, the lack of freedom, separation from their families, and living conditions. In retellings of stories about prison highlights that necessities were limited and certain everyday items were viewed as a luxury. In war during this time as well the men …show more content…

Prisoners lose their freedom due to their wrongdoing, whereas soldiers lose their freedom to their sergeants. Both of these men live under close surveillance of someone in a higher position, and they must act accordingly by doing what they are told when they are told. Prisons take freedom away from the men in order to teach them what is right to do. Whereas war takes freedom from their soldiers in order to keep them focused and grounded. Paul described his surroundings as, “The camp is surrounded with high barbed wire fences. If we come back late from the Soldiers’ Home we have to show passes” (Remarque,1985,1929,p.187).Although the soldiers were not under the same exact confinements as the prisoners some of their restrictions flowed over into the lives of soldiers. The soldiers were confined and watched under the guards along with the soldiers unknowingly. The separation from their families is something both men had to deal with unwillingly due to the circumstances they were placed in. In war, men are separated from their family for months at a time. In prison it is similar but a harsher extent. Prisoners can possibly see their family but are restricted by days, time, and being able to even touch their family members or significant others. This is a tease to the prisoner because they do not have their old freedom or connection with their families. Whereas soldiers can visit their families but due to their job are on a time

Open Document