War In John Steinbeck's All Quiet On The Western Front

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Recommended: Psychological impact of war on soldiers

Some may believe that the true enemy in war is the opposing side, but in truth the enemy is war itself. War is the true enemy in conflict, this is exemplified many times in All Quiet on The Western Front in many recurring themes, such as the themes of death, the lost generation, and the horrors of modern war. Death is a repeated theme in the novel as it is a large part of warfare. In chapter two, Kemmerich is forced to accept his own imminent death. He struggles with thoughts of what his future might have held for him. He is dying so young and is missing out on so many experiences. Paul stays with Kemmerich as he is dying and tries to make him feel better, but he is still depressed by the death of his close friend and comrade. “There he lies now-but why? The whole world ought to pass by his bed …show more content…

In chapter seven, Paul returns home on leave. “This is good, I like it. But I cannot get on with the people.” (165) People ask him questions that make him uncomfortable, and he feels that no one can understand him and what he has gone through. “They talk too much for me. They have worries, aims, desires, that I cannot comprehend.” (168) Paul feels like he has changed during his time in the army. Everything that felt normal to him no longer feels normal. He feels disconnected from the feelings and emotions that are commonplace in everyday life. In the army Paul learned to become disconnected from his emotions in order to survive, but in the beginning of chapter seven, when paul returns home and meets his sister and his mother, he becomes so overwhelmed with his emotions that he cannot even move. It is because of the necessity of inhumanity in order to survive in war that causes the soldiers to feel

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