All Quiet on the Western Front Essay -- English Literature

All Quiet on the westward FrontThe 19th century view of war explicit that it was the most honorableand brilliant event that a man could enroll in. This romanticviewpoint was quick to change after World state of war I. In addition, ErichMaria Remarques All Quiet on the Western Front further illustratedthe ghastly nature of war. His descriptive writing portrays the in writing(predicate) details of reality, leaving the readers of the twentieth century inshock. Since Remarque was the first indite of his time to revealthese lifelike affairs, his novel helped change their perspective ofwar, forcing them to non want any part of it. In his novel, All Quiet on the Western Front, Remarque utilizes themain character Paul to symbolize the people of the 20th century. Along with his peers, Paul is encouraged by adults to fight in thewar, especi all in ally by his teacher, Kantorek. Paul knows nothing aboutwar before he enlists and is quickly disgusted to realize hismistake. Remarque writes, Naturally we couldnt blame Kantorek forthis. Where would the earth be if one brought every man to book? There were thousands of Kantoreks, all of whom were convinced thatthey were acting for the best in a way that cost them nothing(12). Here, Kantorek symbolizes all the elders who pushed naveteenagers to enlist because they felt that war was glorious andromantic. The adolescents that followed their directions had trust inthem because of their authority. However, the ones who professedenlisting were not the ones who did the actual fighting they did notwitness the cruelness nor live the brutal, soldier life. Remarquecontinues, The first bombardment showed us our mistakeWe loved ourcountry as much as they we went bravely ... ...rred in the 19th and 20thcenturies. Our modern technology has played a large part in changingour viewpoint of war. Movies have started to intro the gruesomenessof war as well as video games allowing users to portion out in war-likeviolence. Our current war is even being shown live on the newschannels, demonstrating the violence. Therefore, the people of the twenty-firstcentury have become desensitized to the realities of war. Thus, the readers of the 21st century have already been introduced tothe issues that Remarques All Quiet on the Western Frontcommunicates. Along with technology, the fact that the United Statesis so honest and open with war has allowed children to becomefamiliarized with this subject at an azoic age. Consequently, theeffect on Remarques readers in the 21st century is sooner differentfrom the effect on the 20th century readers.