Young and old
"Beyond disillusionment." Yes, and I think that's the heart of the irony that the novel contains on just about every page. It's true that Europe was at the pinnacle of its achievement--progress and enlightenment--at the beginning of the 20th century, and then this. Wars are always fought by the generation coming up; if they can't look to their elders as wise about sending them into war, then what is left?
They are suddenly on their own to figure it out for themselves. It's not that they're not patriotic or courageous, as Paul says on p. 13. It's that "also we distinguished the false from true, we had suddenly learned to see. And we saw that there was nothing of their world left. We were all at once terribley alone; and alone we must see it through."
Comments
What struck me most was the detachment the narrator had already attained at such an early age. His is a very matter-of-fact recitation of war and the horrors he has witnessed. Even as Muller calls dibs on the boots of the dying Kemmerich, Paul understands the value of pragmatism. Kemmerich won't need them anymore.
Posted by: Frank | June 18, 2007 12:39 PM
All wars are fought by the young..They enter the fray with "bright eyes"..and slowly the realization sets in ,that, in reality they are not fighting for their country so much as for each other...
Posted by: Jim | June 18, 2007 01:16 PM