All Quiet On The Western Front Themes :: essays research papers

1) The Destructiveness of War     A major theme, not that on lives and property, but also on the humanspirit. Men argon subject to physical torment-eyes ar blinded, limbs areblown off, blood flows everywhere, and vindicated men die in agony. Whensoldiers take shelter in the graveyard, bombs get away entirely around them,the living hide in coffins and the dead are thrown from their graves. The destructive power is so great that even the fundamental differencesbetween animation and death become blurred. The impact of war on the spiritis subtle. They find themselves less able to returrn to civilian life-friends die all around them.2) The Lost Generation     This theme is an offshoot of the destructiveness of war. capital of Minnesotasgeneration grew up too fast, its perceptins of life grossly distorted bythe horror or war. The youthful idealism that might someday haveblossomed into constructive matureness has been nipped in the bud. Unlike earlier generations, Paul can never once again hope to find comfort andinspiration in the hollow ornateness of politicians and generals. The warhas shattered their illusions. Their innocence is gone, and only inaimless skepticism is left to fill the void.3) Comraderie     The theme of comraderie occurs constantly in the novel. The comraderiethat exists in Pauls federation keeps them from being driven insane by thehorrors all around them. In a sense, the comraderie among Paulsfriends can be seen as a last grand clinging to the innocence ofyouth. These young men were transported almost directly to thebattlefield from the schoolyard. The immature pranks of Paul and hisclassmates can be seen in their "adult" behavior, as in their attack onHimmelstoss. If the social responses of Paul adn his friends seem at measure childish, it is essential to remember that these are young menwhose experience of life took them directly to the barracks from theclassroom. If they seem immature, it may be because they werent giventhe chance to perplex up normally. The best example of this theme os whenKat and Paul shared their roasted goose with Kropp and Tjaden. Theywere taking care of each other.4) delirium     The theme of alienation develops as the novel progresses. At first,Paul and his friends stillness behave as if their lives will someday returnto normal. In the pump of the book, Paul goes class on leave, only todiscover that his real home is now with his friends on the front.