ALL QUIET
December 29th 2006 15:03
ALL QUIET
I just finished re-reading All Quiet On The Western Front. I had read it years ago, in public school I think, and though I didn't pay much attention to it then, I read it through different eyes today. It really should be required reading for anyone remotely interested in what's happening in the war torn spots of the globe today.
Written in 1929 and told through the eyes of a German soldier serving in WW I, it could well be written as seen through the eyes of an Allied soldier. Neither pro nor anti war, it gives us a view of what soldiers face when they go into battle and when they are at rest. The underlying theme being that the soldier does not want to be where he is.
Erich Maria Remarque, the author, gives us a good clue when he writes that the politicos who sent him into battle should be put in an arena and let them duke it out, best man wins, winner takes all. Not necessarily bloodless, but a lot fewer men would die.
Having met many veterans of WW II and Korea, I now know why they don't want to talk about the wars they fought. Only another soldier would understand. Never having been a soldier, I don't understand, but I have gained some insight. I can understand why they would be the first to advocate peace. True soldiers are not peaceniks. They go where they are told, when they are told. They don't flee to another country to escape their honour bound duty. But they'd really rather not have to go.
Remarque, telling the story through the eyes of a 20 year old soldier, describes the horrors and fear of being in battle. Though tactics may have changed since WW I and today, it is easy to envision that that horror and fear still permeates the young lads we send into battle to free an oppressed people and, by association, keep our own land strong and free. The boys we send to war today are just as dumbfounded by seeing their comrades in arms die or see their legs torn off by a mine or grenade as was that youngster back in 1914.
It doesn't matter what side of the coin you are on. Pro-Israel, pro-Palestine, for or against the war in Iraq, supportive or not of the efforts in Afghanistan, one has to remember that the other side doesn't want a war either. That Muslim mother worries as much about her baby boy going off to fight the same as any American or Canadian mother worries about her baby boy.
In a perfect world, there would never be any wars. That will, unfortunately, never happen. Human beings are naturally competitive in everything from car racing to building a better mouse trap. So it is with religion where one side wants the other to kneel and pray to Allah 5 times a day and the other fights for God and democracy.
To my knowledge, no democracy has ever started a war. But they have fought back when attacked. Sad to say, but this will always be with us. We could all learn a lot from Remarque's book.
I just finished re-reading All Quiet On The Western Front. I had read it years ago, in public school I think, and though I didn't pay much attention to it then, I read it through different eyes today. It really should be required reading for anyone remotely interested in what's happening in the war torn spots of the globe today.
Written in 1929 and told through the eyes of a German soldier serving in WW I, it could well be written as seen through the eyes of an Allied soldier. Neither pro nor anti war, it gives us a view of what soldiers face when they go into battle and when they are at rest. The underlying theme being that the soldier does not want to be where he is.
Having met many veterans of WW II and Korea, I now know why they don't want to talk about the wars they fought. Only another soldier would understand. Never having been a soldier, I don't understand, but I have gained some insight. I can understand why they would be the first to advocate peace. True soldiers are not peaceniks. They go where they are told, when they are told. They don't flee to another country to escape their honour bound duty. But they'd really rather not have to go.
Remarque, telling the story through the eyes of a 20 year old soldier, describes the horrors and fear of being in battle. Though tactics may have changed since WW I and today, it is easy to envision that that horror and fear still permeates the young lads we send into battle to free an oppressed people and, by association, keep our own land strong and free. The boys we send to war today are just as dumbfounded by seeing their comrades in arms die or see their legs torn off by a mine or grenade as was that youngster back in 1914.
In a perfect world, there would never be any wars. That will, unfortunately, never happen. Human beings are naturally competitive in everything from car racing to building a better mouse trap. So it is with religion where one side wants the other to kneel and pray to Allah 5 times a day and the other fights for God and democracy.
To my knowledge, no democracy has ever started a war. But they have fought back when attacked. Sad to say, but this will always be with us. We could all learn a lot from Remarque's book.
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Comment by S.L.Bradish
Comment by Don Lee
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Tales From The Green Lantern
Don, I don't know the horrors of war. All I know is that without our brave fighting force I wouldn't be able to sit here and rant freely. I have met a lot of vets that think the same as you. Happy to read the book but unhappy with the memories it brings back. These guys have nothing but my utmost respect, and like SL said, the volunteer army is the best thing that ever happened to us. Viet Nam was different and a shame in so many ways but let's hope we all learned a lot from the experience. I went to school with guys who volunteered to serve and never came back. Veterans who protect my freedom will always hold a special place in my heart.