Young Men During World War I in the Novel, All Quiet on...

In the novel All Quiet on the Western Front, Erich Remarque discusses themes including patriotism, honor, bravery, and war. He explains how each topic relates to the lives of nineteen-year-old young men during the first World War. In the novel, All Quiet on the Western Front, Remarque either supports or rejects these topics by illustrating them in the soldier’s daily lives. Each of the characters confronts the four main themes throughout their wartime experience. Remarque feels that these men should not have to show bravery in war, however, bravery is possibly the most important of the major themes in the novel. â€Å" During the story, each of the characters have a moment in which bravery was a large key factor that helped them survive the war. Although Remarque believes that bravery in war is not necessary for the young men, he does believe that standing up to people who have ruled over you with cruel power is a necessary act of bravery. In the book it says, We seized the bed-cover, made a quick leap, threw it over his head from behind and pulled it round him so that he stood there in a white sack unable to raise his arms. The singing stopped. The next moment Haie Westhus was there, and spreading his arms he shoved us back in order to be first in. He put himself in position with evident satisfaction, raised his arm like a signal-mast and his hand like a coal-shovel and fetched such a blow on the white sack as would have felled an ox. (Page 48) This quote showsShow MoreRelated All Quiet on the Western Front Essay1388 Words   |  6 PagesAll Quiet on the Western Front The novel All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Remarque describes the psychological and physical battles of young soldiers such as the main character Paul Baumer who was pressured by the spirit of nationalism and his school master into joining the German army during World War I. 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