I noticed this novel highlights the patriotism and glory associated with war in opposition to the gruesome realities of war. The storyline follows the experiences of Paul and his friends. Paul was persuaded by his teacher Kantorek to join what Kantorek called the “Iron Youth”. Kantorek delivered patriotic and nationalistic speeches that ultimately convince Paul and his friends to enlist to fight in World War I. The experience of fighting in the trenches quickly shows them that those nationalistic ideals are irrelevant on the front lines of a war zone. They soon realize that wars isn't all glory and national pride like Kantorek had lead them to believe. War on the front line of a trench is brutal. During the day they had to dig and place barbed
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I definitely feel like he had no idea what he was getting into when he enlisted under Kantoreks guidance. It isn't long until they realize that war isn't just a political shoving match. Its very horrific for everyone affected. They soon come to the conclusion that they don't really know why they are fighting against the french. None of them have any reason to want to kill a french man. One of my favorite moments in the book is when Kropp proposes an alternative to the current fighting. “He proposes that a declaration of war should be a kind of popular festival with entrance tickets and bands like a bull fight. Then in the arena the ministers and generals of the two countries, dressed in bathing- drawers and armed with clubs, can have at it out among themselves. Whoever survives his country wins. That would be much simpler and more just than this arrangement, where the wrong people are doing the fighting.” Chapter 3 Pg 41 This is my favorite part of the book because it feels to me like a preemptive comic relief. Before everything gets intense and scary it's nice to put an abstract thought of fighting before the real fighting beings. I like how the group gets oddly philosophical with this proposition that the people fighting in the war aren't the same people that want the war to happen.That it would be so much better and easier if the generals that declare the war do the fighting themselves. Even though this is …show more content…
Although this alternative would be entertaining and arguably more fair this is not realistic. Paul and the rest of trench soon experience a very large part of war back in WWI, bombardments. Paul and his friends experience their first bombardment and have to take refuge in a cemetery. “I open my eyes, my fingers grasp a sleeve, an arm. A wounded man? I yell to him, no answer, a dead man. My hand gropes farther, splinters of wood, now I remember again the we are lying in the graveyard. But the shelling is than everything. It wipes out the sensibilities, I merely crawl still farther under the coffin, it shall protect me, though death himself lies in it.” Ch4 pg 67. I feel like going through a bombardment would be traumatic enough but it is made worse by taking shelter under coffins and sifting through loose body parts. This is where I feel the book takes a darker turn. Paul now knows what it feels like to wonder whether or not he will live to see another day. I can only imagine what it would be like to have hear bombs going off near you. The only thing worse than that in my mind is the traumatic experience of taking
I definitely feel like he had no idea what he was getting into when he enlisted under Kantoreks guidance. It isn't long until they realize that war isn't just a political shoving match. Its very horrific for everyone affected. They soon come to the conclusion that they don't really know why they are fighting against the french. None of them have any reason to want to kill a french man. One of my favorite moments in the book is when Kropp proposes an alternative to the current fighting. “He proposes that a declaration of war should be a kind of popular festival with entrance tickets and bands like a bull fight. Then in the arena the ministers and generals of the two countries, dressed in bathing- drawers and armed with clubs, can have at it out among themselves. Whoever survives his country wins. That would be much simpler and more just than this arrangement, where the wrong people are doing the fighting.” Chapter 3 Pg 41 This is my favorite part of the book because it feels to me like a preemptive comic relief. Before everything gets intense and scary it's nice to put an abstract thought of fighting before the real fighting beings. I like how the group gets oddly philosophical with this proposition that the people fighting in the war aren't the same people that want the war to happen.That it would be so much better and easier if the generals that declare the war do the fighting themselves. Even though this is …show more content…
Although this alternative would be entertaining and arguably more fair this is not realistic. Paul and the rest of trench soon experience a very large part of war back in WWI, bombardments. Paul and his friends experience their first bombardment and have to take refuge in a cemetery. “I open my eyes, my fingers grasp a sleeve, an arm. A wounded man? I yell to him, no answer, a dead man. My hand gropes farther, splinters of wood, now I remember again the we are lying in the graveyard. But the shelling is than everything. It wipes out the sensibilities, I merely crawl still farther under the coffin, it shall protect me, though death himself lies in it.” Ch4 pg 67. I feel like going through a bombardment would be traumatic enough but it is made worse by taking shelter under coffins and sifting through loose body parts. This is where I feel the book takes a darker turn. Paul now knows what it feels like to wonder whether or not he will live to see another day. I can only imagine what it would be like to have hear bombs going off near you. The only thing worse than that in my mind is the traumatic experience of taking