Destiny In All Quiet On The Western Front

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Most children fantasize about their bright future beyond their early years. In All Quiet on the Western Front, author Erich Maria Remarque defies this notion with Paul, his part–autobiographical protagonist fighting the Great War. As a soldier in the Imperial German Army, Paul ponders post–war existence and—as the narrative progresses—turns increasingly negative toward the life he has ahead. His experiences during his leave, his own words, and his own death all point to a very uncertain future. Initially, Paul is hopeful that he can return to his innocent childhood at home. Paul fails to return to his civilian mindset on leave. While sitting in his room, this military man grasps for his past to no avail, among his books and toys. He expresses how “A terrible feeling of foreignness suddenly rises up in me. I cannot find my way back, I am shut out though I entreat earnestly and put forth all my strength” (172). The experiences in war have changed Paul more than he expected, to the point to where he no longer understands himself as a person. This initiates his realization of his new being: he is no longer an innocent child, and war played a larger role in his story than he ever imagined. A new destiny has surfaced for this soldier, one where he feels like he cannot escape. …show more content…

Paul describes a world where the veterans are alienated from both their elders and the youth, each unable to comprehend the problem that they have. Injured in both muscle and mind, he says “… [those that fought and himself] will be weary, broken, burnt out, rootless and without hope. We will not be able to find our way anymore” (294). The experiences he shared with his comrades influenced his pessimistic view of the future, where he witnessed shot, blown, hacked and pierced people on the front line; among those his friends. These bloody thoughts scar him for the rest of his

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