All Quiet On The Western Front And La Grande Illusion

During World War, I (WWI) nationalism was the fuel that kept the war among Europe. Germans were fighting for their country as French would also do it. The pride of fighting for one's country was the major achievement a young man could get. The book “All Quiet on The Western Front” depicts the adventures of a group of German young men when they are off to the war. In this book instead of depicting what really happens in the war, the author focuses on the depressing and harsh journey that this group of young men faced to serve their country. The book describes explicitly how the main characters risk their lives and even lose it because of the war, and even in many instances many of the characters show where they stand regarding the war and the

The film showcases the point of view of French and German soldiers regarding the reason for the war and how civilians see soldiers. The films grasp many themes regarding the war but one of the main features is the nationalism and the repercussions caused by it. In both works, the authors prioritize what nationalism played on the lives of women during this time. In All Quiet on the Western Front, the author during a chapter describes the encounter of the German soldiers with a group of French ladies. In La Grande Illusion the two French soldiers meet a German widow who helps them hide from the authorities when they are trying to go back to France. In both works, those women play an important role for the viewers to understand the catastrophic era of WWI and to have a deep understanding of the outcomes of nationalism. All Quiet on The Western Front and La Grande Illusion both use gender role to prove the advantages and disadvantages that nationalism caused for civilians related to

In All Quiet on The Western Front, the boys enlisted for the war because of the recommendation of one of their high school teacher, which referrers to them as “Iron youth”. Also, the book emphasizes civilians constantly praised those who serve in the war. However, one of the most surprising consequences of nationalism is the impact it had on women related to soldiers. In All quiet on the western front, Paul narrates when he and his comrades go swimming in the canals that separates Germany from France. Paul explains that on the other side of the canals live women. During this time of war, men had been deprived of women and most of the soldier would take any risk to be with a woman. When they are finally swimming on the canal, a group of young ladies approach them and start to flirt with them. While they are flirting back and forth Tjaden went for a loaf of bread to hand to the young ladies, this is crucial for them to secure their spot with the French ladies. During the wartime food was limited and hard to get so for many civilians, thus having someone on the army could facilitate obtaining food. This issue was not unknown to the soldier, who with no doubt see this issue as a two-way street, in which they all could get benefits. The book portrays women as depended on men, and for these French ladies having a