Remarque heavily influences the feelings of war, honor, and patriotism by killing the primary view of the story, Paul Baumer, at the end. Remarque does this to truly show how gruesome a war can be. Paul Baumer was a normal German citizen who was “brainwashed” with the beliefs that countries instilled with war, honor, and patriotism. Baumer and many of the other soldiers felt this until actually experiencing the war themselves. People of the country believed that the enemies of war were the French. Paul and his fellow soldiers had believed this too. But after being sent to guard Russian prisoners, Baumer said, “A word of command has made these silent figures our enemies; a word of command might transform them into our friends.” (Page 193) This quote perfectly magnifies the theme Remarque is trying to express throughout the novel. Remarque shows his argument in the quote by perfectly exemplifying the belief of the rulers in the countries being the true enemies to the soldiers and citizens. Remarque does this by using the word “command” in the quote referring to high people in society. Remarque completely slams the beliefs of German ideas during the story. Remarque doesn’t romanticize the honor and patriotism of the war. Remarque gives the raw truth which makes this novel so grand.
Remarque heavily influences the feelings of war, honor, and patriotism by killing the primary view of the story, Paul Baumer, at the end. Remarque does this to truly show how gruesome a war can be. Paul Baumer was a normal German citizen who was “brainwashed” with the beliefs that countries instilled with war, honor, and patriotism. Baumer and many of the other soldiers felt this until actually experiencing the war themselves. People of the country believed that the enemies of war were the French. Paul and his fellow soldiers had believed this too. But after being sent to guard Russian prisoners, Baumer said, “A word of command has made these silent figures our enemies; a word of command might transform them into our friends.” (Page 193) This quote perfectly magnifies the theme Remarque is trying to express throughout the novel. Remarque shows his argument in the quote by perfectly exemplifying the belief of the rulers in the countries being the true enemies to the soldiers and citizens. Remarque does this by using the word “command” in the quote referring to high people in society. Remarque completely slams the beliefs of German ideas during the story. Remarque doesn’t romanticize the honor and patriotism of the war. Remarque gives the raw truth which makes this novel so grand.
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