Free Essays - All Quiet on the Western Front :: All Quiet on the Western Front Essays

capital of Minnesota B&228umer, the narrator and friend in All Quiet on the Western Front, is a showcase who develops extensively within the course of the novel. As a young man, he is persuaded to join the German Army during World War I. This three division ordeal is marked by capital of Minnesotas short, but tragic trek into maturity date as he learns to cope with the trials and tribulations of struggle. In the wake of a throw together which claims millions, Paul loses his precious pureness as he is further set-apart from society and engulfed by bloodshed. Pauls evolution throughout the novel is a leave of his having to adapt in order to survive. Pauls experiences in combat shatter his precedent misconceptions of war consequently, he gains the ability to reflect on events with his own accord. His fair ideas ar severely challenged when he source witnesses the ugly truth of war. The first bombardment showed us our mistake, and under it the world as they had taught it to us broke in pieces(13). Pauls first engagement in combat reveals that everything he was taught as a young recruit are lies consequently, he can straightway form his own conclusions. by dint of the ongoing course of the war, Paul comes to grips with the realism of the situation. They are strong and our desire is strong-but they are unattainable, and we know it(121). Paul realizes that the soldiers motive lives are all but distant memories. His maturing personality gives him the insight to delay past the facade of war and expose it for what it truly is. Paul loses his innocence and childhood during the war as a result, he becomes a man. When Paul and his companions encounter some French women, they exchange food for sexual intercourse. We fail our parcels and hand them over to the women. Their eyes shine, it is obvious they are hungry(148). Through this transaction, Paul uses the women as an outlet for his sexual urges. Shortly after this rendezvous, Paul receives a leave of absence however, he finds it difficult to leave the war behind. Speak to me - take me up - take me, Life of my Youth - you who are care-free, beautiful - receive me again - (172). Paul can no lasting conjure up the feelings of happiness which accompanied his youth, in essence his childhood is lost. The war has stripped Paul of his innocence and taken away everything that he treasured.