Nationalism, the belief that one must be proud of their country no matter what it does. The novel, All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque, is a story told through the eyes of a young man, Paul Bäumer, explaining his various experiences throughout his time during World War One. Whether he is under bombardment or defending the home front there are many occurrences of patriotism throughout. To begin, the soldiers follow orders regardless of what they are when they are at war. Next, the civilians unknowingly support the war at the cost of their livelihood. Lastly, other nations suffer as they are put into conflict due to their relations with the countries at war. In All Quiet on the Western Front the manipulation of patriotic
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Remarque puts emphasis on this through the motif of nationalism since it is inevitable to be seen in times of war. The novel portrays this as the young men try to figure out who the real enemy is and in doing so, wonder what they are fighting for. It is expressed when after viciously stabbing the Frenchman, Bäumer says, "Forgive me, comrade; how could you be my enemy? If we threw away these rifles and this uniform you could be my brother just like Kat and Albert” (Remarque 223). Within these words it becomes obvious that Paul is questioning what he is fighting for. He killed a man because he had to, for his country and to live. In war it is to kill or be killed and Paul chooses the latter. Whereas it was his government that put him in such a place to do it. Paul starts to rethink his belief of nationalism for his country and blindly following the orders they give. The concept of a country having so much power over its people is horrendous. There is nothing Paul could do to free himself from a situation like this; if he were to leave he would be a traitor and be hunted down. Since Paul killed the man there is nothing else he can …show more content…
Most conflicts from one country to another either have been start or carried out by an authoritarian government. Germany had no reason to be in World War One, but it was because of its relations with the central powers that they had to interfere and join. The nation’s people are also effected due to this: “Alongside our camp is the big Russian prison camp. It is separated from us by a wire fence, nut in spite of this the prisoners come across to us. They seem nervous and fearful, though most of them are big fellows with beards- they look like meek, scolded, St. Bernard dogs” (Remarque 189). These prisoners of war were simply fighting for their country before they became trapped. They are trapped within the same trap Paul and his friends have to face if they were captured by the opposing forces. If it were not for such rash governments neither the prisoners or German soldiers would be in the situation they are currently in. These prisoners were patriotic to their country when they were fighting and now they are trapped. They are now saddened from the realization that they could have not been trapped with barely any food if their countries realized that war is useless and leads to the loss of many human lives. Their belief of nationalism has befuddled them into now rotting away behind a fence. As the war progresses more countries become involved: “Our lines are falling back.
Remarque puts emphasis on this through the motif of nationalism since it is inevitable to be seen in times of war. The novel portrays this as the young men try to figure out who the real enemy is and in doing so, wonder what they are fighting for. It is expressed when after viciously stabbing the Frenchman, Bäumer says, "Forgive me, comrade; how could you be my enemy? If we threw away these rifles and this uniform you could be my brother just like Kat and Albert” (Remarque 223). Within these words it becomes obvious that Paul is questioning what he is fighting for. He killed a man because he had to, for his country and to live. In war it is to kill or be killed and Paul chooses the latter. Whereas it was his government that put him in such a place to do it. Paul starts to rethink his belief of nationalism for his country and blindly following the orders they give. The concept of a country having so much power over its people is horrendous. There is nothing Paul could do to free himself from a situation like this; if he were to leave he would be a traitor and be hunted down. Since Paul killed the man there is nothing else he can …show more content…
Most conflicts from one country to another either have been start or carried out by an authoritarian government. Germany had no reason to be in World War One, but it was because of its relations with the central powers that they had to interfere and join. The nation’s people are also effected due to this: “Alongside our camp is the big Russian prison camp. It is separated from us by a wire fence, nut in spite of this the prisoners come across to us. They seem nervous and fearful, though most of them are big fellows with beards- they look like meek, scolded, St. Bernard dogs” (Remarque 189). These prisoners of war were simply fighting for their country before they became trapped. They are trapped within the same trap Paul and his friends have to face if they were captured by the opposing forces. If it were not for such rash governments neither the prisoners or German soldiers would be in the situation they are currently in. These prisoners were patriotic to their country when they were fighting and now they are trapped. They are now saddened from the realization that they could have not been trapped with barely any food if their countries realized that war is useless and leads to the loss of many human lives. Their belief of nationalism has befuddled them into now rotting away behind a fence. As the war progresses more countries become involved: “Our lines are falling back.