Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet On The Western Front

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The intentions of Erich Maria Remarque were fueled by one simple goal in mind, “to tell a generation of men who, even though may have escaped shells, were destroyed by the war” (foreward). This statement really sets the tone for All Quiet on the Western Front and how a whole generation of men who did survive the War, returned home, but their youthful attitudes died with their fallen brothers. The brutality of trench and chemical warfare was enough to kill millions of men, however million’s more were destroyed by the psychological aftermath from fighting in the first World War. This story was narrated through Paul and his understanding of how the war ruined a soldier’s memories of home, their relationships with their families, and just simply…show more content…
The reassurance of a home life in life when nothing is going your way. Paul returned home when he was put on medical leave. He reminisced on his childhood and went home to see his family and was heartbroken when his mother informed him about her being sick and has cancer. So even when Paul expects a warm return, he is faced with a sad truth and if that isn’t enough, he has to lie to his mom about the experiences of the front line, so his mom won’t worry. Simpler times such as childhood memories become a constant reminder of what life used to be like. For example, Paul loves the natural beauty of the world especially cherry blossoms and in. chapter 7, Paul took a moment to admire the beauty and familiarity of home. He was in awe of the “golden-red light” of the sunset and his cherished poplar trees and was moved by the scenery. At the same time Paul’s comrade Detering went M.I.A when he came across a cherry blossom on the front lines and was paralyzed with homesickness. Detering was known to be sensitive as he spends most of the book missing his wife and farm back in Oldenburg. He essentially goes crazy and steals the cherry tree and within two days he runs away to never be found again. He walks over the bridge with his military equipment left at home and looks up at the case that holds his butterfly collection. Implying the separation between his youthful virtue and the cold-hearted exterior he attained from the

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