All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Remarque is a story about the lives of a young group of German soldiers who fight on the French front during World War One. The book is narrated by a young man named Paul Baumer. Paul and several of his friends enlist into the army right out of high school due to the moving patriotic speeches by their schoolmaster. However, at the front lines they learn that war is nothing like they anticipated. Through the viewpoints of these characters Remarque very accurately portrays the horrors of the trenches during World War 1. The experiences of the soldiers in All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Remarque are historically accurate due to the accurate portrayal of the living conditions in the trenches, and
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They have wives, children, occupations, and interests, they have a background which is so strong that the war cannot obliterate it. We young men of twenty, however, have … little else--some enthusiasm, a few hobbies, and our school. Beyond this our life did not extend. And of this nothing remains … For the older men, it is but an interruption. They are able to think beyond it. We, however, have been gripped by it and do not know what the end may be. (Remarque, 1929, p. 11)”
Younger soldiers did not have much before the war, they stood on the threshold of life. This group of soldiers is often known as the lost generation.
“In the aftermath of the war there arose a group of young persons known as the "Lost Generation." … This referred to the lack of purpose or drive resulting from the horrific disillusionment felt by those who grew up and lived through the war, and were then in their twenties and thirties. Having seen pointless death on such a huge scale, many lost faith in traditional values like courage, patriotism, and masculinity. Some in turn became aimless, reckless, and focused on material wealth, unable to believe in abstract ideals.” (O’Connor).
These men experienced many awful things during the war which greatly affected them mentally and emotionally, and made it difficult for them to transition back into society when they returned
They have wives, children, occupations, and interests, they have a background which is so strong that the war cannot obliterate it. We young men of twenty, however, have … little else--some enthusiasm, a few hobbies, and our school. Beyond this our life did not extend. And of this nothing remains … For the older men, it is but an interruption. They are able to think beyond it. We, however, have been gripped by it and do not know what the end may be. (Remarque, 1929, p. 11)”
Younger soldiers did not have much before the war, they stood on the threshold of life. This group of soldiers is often known as the lost generation.
“In the aftermath of the war there arose a group of young persons known as the "Lost Generation." … This referred to the lack of purpose or drive resulting from the horrific disillusionment felt by those who grew up and lived through the war, and were then in their twenties and thirties. Having seen pointless death on such a huge scale, many lost faith in traditional values like courage, patriotism, and masculinity. Some in turn became aimless, reckless, and focused on material wealth, unable to believe in abstract ideals.” (O’Connor).
These men experienced many awful things during the war which greatly affected them mentally and emotionally, and made it difficult for them to transition back into society when they returned