It has been said that the men and women who have fought in war are the kind of people with cold hearts and are incapable of feeling anything. But were the people that said these remarks in the battles? Did they experience the same horrors as the fighting soldiers? Perhaps these soldiers killed many people in the course of doing their job, but it does not mean they are no longer human. Maybe instead of criticizing these men and women we should learn from them. The novel All Quiet On The Western Front, written by Erich Maria Remarque, is a novel about soldiers and war. Throughout the experiences of Paul Baumer, as presented in this novel, we are able to learn a great deal about war. .
First, one thing that we can learn from war is the recognition of universal similarities. Oftentimes, the soldiers are constantly told that the enemy are beasts and deserve no reason to live. But what makes the enemy different from them? Both sides believe in fighting for the homeland. Also, Both sides encounter the destruction that a war brings to soldier mentally and physically. For example, in the novel when Paul is explaining to the reader what he feels, he says, "And all men of my age, here and over there, throughout the whole world see these things; all my generation is experiencing these things with me"(Remarque 263). Another example of universal similarities is when Paul and his comrades are discussing various issues in war. During the discussion they come to the same conclusion and say, "We agree that it's the same for everyone; not only for us here, but everywhere, for everyone who is of our age; to some more, and to others less. It is the common fate of our generation"(87). The sight of mangled bodies, or loved comrades being blown to shreds by bombs was not a common view for most people. However, there was a generation that had to live and experience these horrific images. Images that would not seek out certain races or countries, nor favor anyone.
