Devastation In 'All Quiet On The Western Front'
All Quiet on the Western Front is widely known for it’s vivid descriptions and retellings of World War I. It seems that throughout the novel, most aspects agree with the statement that “the consequence of war is devastation.” Keeping the book and certain facts in mind, I too agree that “the consequence of war is devastation.”
I agree with this statement because of two major reasons. The first reason being the emotional and mental impact that war has on the minds of soldiers and their families. The evidence displayed in chapter 7 demonstrates what going to war can do to the personalities of some. “I ought never to have come here. Out there I was indifferent and often hopeless-I will never be able to do so again. I was a soldier, and now I am
nothing but an agony for myself…” With this statement, Paul is expressing his regret for going on leave and how being a soldier is basically who he is now. Before the war, there was more that defined him. However, after seeing what he saw and experiencing what he did, he is just a soldier, and always will be. The war has, in other words, devastated him.
My second reason for agreeing with this statement is the absolutely unecessary existence of it overall. I think the pointlessness of war was best stated by Paul on page 143, “But who can draw such a distinction when he looks at these quiet men with their childlike faces and apostles’ beards...And yet we should shoot them again and they at us if they were free.” Here in Paul’s thoughts, he begins to realize how futile this war really is, but quickly dismisses the forbidden idea. I think it’s important that him, and many others, recognize this idea because shooting each other back and forth from trenches is not going to get anyone anywhere. It really just results in several deaths all because the leaders of those men said, “fight.”
Maybe to some, the consequence of war is not devastation. However, through my point of view, all I see his death, destruction, and devastation resulting from war. Going through it completely damages the minds of those soldiers, young and old. Plus, in the end all that fighting did not even get anyone anywhere except in their grave faster.
I agree with this statement because of two major reasons. The first reason being the emotional and mental impact that war has on the minds of soldiers and their families. The evidence displayed in chapter 7 demonstrates what going to war can do to the personalities of some. “I ought never to have come here. Out there I was indifferent and often hopeless-I will never be able to do so again. I was a soldier, and now I am
nothing but an agony for myself…” With this statement, Paul is expressing his regret for going on leave and how being a soldier is basically who he is now. Before the war, there was more that defined him. However, after seeing what he saw and experiencing what he did, he is just a soldier, and always will be. The war has, in other words, devastated him.
My second reason for agreeing with this statement is the absolutely unecessary existence of it overall. I think the pointlessness of war was best stated by Paul on page 143, “But who can draw such a distinction when he looks at these quiet men with their childlike faces and apostles’ beards...And yet we should shoot them again and they at us if they were free.” Here in Paul’s thoughts, he begins to realize how futile this war really is, but quickly dismisses the forbidden idea. I think it’s important that him, and many others, recognize this idea because shooting each other back and forth from trenches is not going to get anyone anywhere. It really just results in several deaths all because the leaders of those men said, “fight.”
Maybe to some, the consequence of war is not devastation. However, through my point of view, all I see his death, destruction, and devastation resulting from war. Going through it completely damages the minds of those soldiers, young and old. Plus, in the end all that fighting did not even get anyone anywhere except in their grave faster.