World War 1 depiction in All Quiet on the Western Front

World War 1 and its depection in "All Quiet on the Western Front"

The media world and writers in general are typically inclined to write in regard to warfare using concepts like adventure, honor, and the greatness of people being unhesitant about dying for their country. Erich Maria Remarque's 1929 book "All Quiet on the Western Front" presents readers with the harsh reality of war as the writer wants to emphasis the gravity related to fighting and the fact that there is nothing glorious about it. Remarque most probably wanted to raise society's awareness concerning how warfare is not as beautiful as most people like to believe, as it is actually destroys the social order and the lives of innocent young people who are unable to fully comprehend its seriousness until it is too late for them. Remarque uses concepts that are unattractive for readers who are normally interested in reading romantic war stories, but his main intention is to have people acknowledge the fact that war should never be an enjoyable topic.

The novel goes directly against the romantic expression of warfare through highlighting that it the masses need to open their eyes regarding the real world and understand that it is wrong to support any form of conflict, regardless of the circumstances involved. While people might be inclined to consider that warfare provides individuals with breath-taking experience that assist them in undergoing psychological progress, most individuals fail to look at matters from the perspective of soldiers who see war firsthand and who are shocked and permanently traumatized as a result of what they go through. While leaders are generally supportive in regard to a warfare performed for purposes related to nationalism, soldiers on the front come to acknowledge that it is absurd to risk their lives for principles that are not necessarily beneficial for them. Fighting with blind passion is likely to have an individual lose his understanding of the world consequent to the moment when he realizes the importance of a human life.

Remarque is not necessarily interested in providing people with instructions regarding the horrors related to warfare, as he also wants to put across his experiences and memories in order to assist people in gaining a better understanding of the conflict. His opinion in regard to how "the front is a cage where we must await fearfully whatever may happen" (Remarque 63) is not only meant to describe how soldiers felt trapped, as it is also meant to relate to how these people were not very different from animals. The first global conflict brought along new means of warfare as trenches and similar means of protection conventionally used during wars started to be less effective because they could not successfully protect soldiers from artillery fire, toxic gas, and machine guns.

Paul is initially influenced by his school teacher in joining war efforts, as he appears to be charmed with the prospect of experiencing an adventurous account involving killing enemies, making friends, and generally fighting for his country. However, his experiences demonstrate that the presumably heroic deeds of the central character are not worthy of risking one's life for. Common soldiers were provided with false information regarding warfare with the purpose of having them express less hesitation about getting actively involved in fighting for their country (Marten 21). Even with that, many of them considered stories such as Paul's and feared that they would regret having joined the army.