"All Quiet on the Western Front" by Erich Maria Remarque - reasons why it should be allowed in school.

Essay by Punjabi-Bl00dzA, May 2007

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This novel is not just an ordinary reading book, but it’s a novel with a message. The message that this story conveys to us, is the reality and horror of war. Everyone has a misconception in their head that war is exciting and sort of like a game, but after reading this novel that was proven false. For example, when Paul and his comrades are under attack, the horses are receiving wounds from the enemies’ attacks and are screaming in pain. Paul and his comrades can’t bear to hear the anguishing cry of the horses and are completely horrified. This proves that war isn’t a fun place to be, in fact it’s hell for people who have to go through it. Another example in which this book conveys the reality and horror of war was again when the horses were used in the war. The author describes one horse who’s belly is ripped open, and the guts are trailing out! The horse tries to get up, but gets tangled in his guts, and falls over again.

Remarque may have been very detailed in this grewsome scenario, but Remarque is trying to snatch the blindfold from people and show them the reality and horror that war has in stock for them.

Another reason why this novel should be allowed in the tenth grade curriculum is because it’s unique. I have never read a novel in which so much truth is told, and the entire story is told through the enemies eyes. After reading this novel, I was able to see that the Germans are also suffering just like the allies are, and infact the Germans are doing worse than the allies. They are left with fewer supplies and food throughout the war, whereas the allies have far better provisions than them.