Analysis |
All Quiet on the Western Front truly is the greatest war novel of all time. It is thought-provoking, and it provides a true look into the lives of soldiers during times of war, specifically World War I. World War I was considered to be the first modern war, and it changed the way the battles of the future were fought. The conditions that the soldiers from any country were facing were not ideal. As the war waged on, Paul and the other soldiers begin to question their purpose. They become unsure if the war is actually beneficial in any way besides being recorded for historical purposes. One of the most shocking instances is Paul feeling as though he does not belong in his own home when he returns for leave. "I imagined leave would be different from this. Indeed, it was different a year ago. It is I of course that have changed in the interval. There lies a gulf between that time and to-day. At that time I still knew nothing about the war, we had only been in quiet sectors. But now I see that I have been crushed without knowing it. I find I do not belong here any more, it is a foreign world."
Each time Paul returns home, he feels less and less welcome. It is not until the death of his best friend, Kat, that he realizes that he is just another casualty, and means nothing on the large scale of the war. This is why the war seems so pointless to Paul. When soldiers return home, everything from their prewar life is diminished and the lose sight of their past goals and desires because all they have known for so long is fighting in the trenches. |
Questions to Consider |
1. What is the real purpose of war?
2. When the soldiers of war are young people, how does it impact the future of the country (post-war)? 3. How does one cope with loss when there is little time to stop? 4. What is the best way to prevent a war? 5. Can a country function properly without being involved in war or foreign affairs? |