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Brutality In All Quiet On The Western Front

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Remarque’s Development of Wartime Brutality and the Differences in Wartime Today All Quiet on the Western Front is a timeless story that portrays the good and the bad of being involved in a war, specifically World War 1 (WW1). Throughout the novel, Remarque develops the theme of brutality in the war. He presents the topic of brutality quite often. The brutality during wartime has short and long term effects, but also is somewhat different from war today. The theme is developed in many ways, one being quickly developing effects. One of Paul Bäumers friends, Franz Kemmerich, is injured and dying, a brutally honest description of him is given. Remarque writes, “His lips have fallen away, his mouth has become larger, his teeth stick out and look as though they were made of chalk. The flesh melts. The forehead bulges more prominently, the cheekbones protrude. The skeleton is working itself through. The eyes are already sunken in.” The quote paints a picture of a helpless soldier whose life has been ended by wartime brutality. For some, the brutality is a way to return home. Paul says that a broken arm could be …show more content…

According to the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Foundation of America, one in every three soldiers returning home are diagnosed with PTSD. PTSD is a disorder caused by trauma. Some of the imagery that Remarque used his novel show similarities to some stories from soldiers who experienced PTSD after fighting in a war. Although Remarque’s theme of the effects of brutality on soldiers is timeless, physical brutality has become less traumatic to the effected and involved people. Medical advances since WW1 have saved countless lives on the battlefield. More people are surviving amputations like Kantorek died from. Programs such as Hire Heroes USA work to help veterans acclimate to ordinary lives and jobs when they return from combat

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