Book review

            All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque is a book that shows the challenges and hardships that soldiers had to endure during the war. Unlike most stories that favor one side of the two parties at war, Remarque goes into great detail explaining the inhumane experiences that soldiers from both sides of the war went through in the name of fighting for their country. The author uses the character Paul Baumer a German soldier who was positioned on the western front during world war one to paint a picture of the hardships that soldiers had to endure during the war. While most soldiers are presented as being driven by honor and the desire to serve one’s country, the book gives a different view on the attitude of soldiers especially because of the toll that the war had on the soldiers and the traumatizing experiences they had to endure. While most people may have assumed that it was all quiet on the western front during the war, Remarque brings the reality of the situation to life by showing the impact of war not only on the victims but also on the soldiers from both sides during and after the war.

            From the author, World War One was an evolving historical experience that saw armies from both sides adapt to changes that brought promise of a victory in the war. A good example is when Paul goes back to the front after taking his leave. He realizes that some changes have been adopted as there are more guns and new aeroplanes to aid in securing victory (Remarque 1928). The advancements in technology also bring in more advanced weapons like tanks and special aircraft used by both sides. Although the developments during the war were aimed at ensuring victory, the new technology and weapons also added to the number of casualties as both sides became better at killing the enemy (Remarque 1928). World War one is therefore presented as a historical experience full of death and destruction as countries kept coming up with different ways to kill each other all in the name of winning the war.

            The events of what transpired during the war are brought to life by the character Paul Baumer who is shown to conform to the views that existed regarding the war especially in the German home front. Like many people during this time, Paul views the war as an opportunity to serve his country and as such, he is determined, and even jovial, when his performing his duties as a soldier (Remarque 1928). The idea that he has of the war during this time is mostly based on the opinions and beliefs that had become a popular view of the war. To some extent, Paul and his friends are excited at the opportunity to go to war and serve their country. They all enjoy the perks of being soldiers such as playing card games and drinking when not on duty (Remarque 1928). Simple pleasures such as receiving letters from home add on to the belief that the war is just a bump in the way and that the soldiers will come out victorious, a belief held not only by the soldiers but also by all Germans when the war started.

            Another way in which Paul conforms to the views regarding the war is after the seriousness of the situation dawns on him and the realities of the war begin to change. Paul soon realizes that the number of planes and guns is increasing due to the need for more soldiers. However, even with the increase in the number of German soldiers, they are still ill equipped and outnumbered as there are five enemy soldiers for every German soldier (Remarque 1928). The enemy has also increased their firepower and the loss of lives on both sides makes the severity of the war even more catastrophic especially to the Germans. At this point, Paul begins to adopt to the common view that German may actually loose the war due to the devastating loss of German soldiers.

            The realization is brought about by the experiences that Paul, like most soldiers, go through at the western front. A lot of men are killed during the war and others are severely injured. Paul and his fellow soldiers are exposed to horrific sites of their fellow soldiers being severely injured and even killed by the enemy. Most of their soldiers lose limbs and suffer serious body harm. Some even have to drag themselves out of the warzone as their legs and arms have been ripped off by the weapons used by the enemy (Remarque 1928). Like most Germans, the war for Paul seizes to be a duty to country as they soon realize that it is a battle they are likely to lose. The loss of life and increase in strength from the enemy does away with the previous beliefs of an assured victory and Paul soon comes to terms with the fact that the Germans may lose the war.

            If novelist accounts about significant historical events were unread, we would miss out on the great deal of information brought by people who actually experienced the events. People would therefore be subjected to hearsay, stereotypes and wishful thinking from people who are either biased or more determined to narrate a positive image of one side of the story instead of narrating the actual truth (Remarque 1928). In the case of Paul, for example, it would have been difficult to understand what really happened during the war without understanding the attitudes and beliefs from the soldiers themselves. A good example is the case where soldiers in the book admit to not recalling how exactly they ended up in the war. Together with his comrades, Paul entertains the idea that war should be fought in a form of ceremony where the generals are given a platform to work out their issues instead of involving an entire country and a great deal of loss of life in the process (Remarque 1928). The soldiers believe that some disputes can be settled without the unnecessary loss of human life especially because most of them were inadequately trained and not ready for war.

            From its title, the book All Quiet on the Western Front tries to do away with the misconceptions that people have towards war. It starts off by introducing Paul, a soldier who has bought in to the idea that fighting for one’s country brings honor. Though this may be true, Paul and his comrades soon discover the atrocities of the war and begin to question the need for all that bloodshed. Furthermore, they are inadequately equipped and lack simple needs such as adequate food. The book therefore creates a better understanding of what actually happens in war and tries to do away with misplaced beliefs and stereotypes to reveal the hardships that soldiers go through when performing their duties.

 

 

Reference

Remarque M, (1928) “All Quiet on the Western Front” Ullstein Verlag, print