Literary Analysis of all Quiet on the Western Front essays

Literary Analysis of all Quiet on the Western Front essays War causes many losses, including countless human lives, property, money, and innocence. The loss of innocence unravels the very core of existence. Prior to World War I, Paul Baumers character enjoyed his youthful exuberance, yet as the war progresses, his naivete vanishes and he becomes hardened by the violent environment. The reality of the war exacerbates Pauls soul as he changes from boy to man. In Erich Maria Remarques novel All Quiet on the Western Front, Paul metamorphoses through symbolism, irony, and imagery resulting in a loss of innocence. Pauls inner change, expressed by imagery, begins to appear in his physical features. Remarque illustrates this when he writes, Our faces are neither paler nor more flushed than usual; they are not more tense no more flabby yet they are changed. This look into Pauls thoughts presents a clear picture of the outer changes conflicting with inner turmoil. Even though violence destroys coherent thinking, the soldiers remain unchanged in appearance. Pauls description of several graphic scenes also portrays the lack of emotion that often occurs in war. Pauls change occurs instantly when he experiences the difference between the comforts of home and the horrors of war. The period of leave which Paul takes, almost unwillingly, finalizes his knowledge that the war drastically changed his life. His encounter with the books in his room symbolizes the transformation from an innocent, curious boy to a determined yet hardened soldier. This symbol brings about the turning point of the novel as Paul states, Speak to me take me up take me, Life of my Youth you who are care-free, beautiful receive me again , realizing the impossibility of a return to his former life. Paul knows now, thanks to this symbol, that though his former life meant nothing, his future life also lacks significance. ...