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All Quiet On The Western Front And Dulce Et Decorum Est

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Throughout All Quiet on the Western Front perspectives of war are explored through multiple avenues; such as the characterisation of Kantorek, the Assistant Headmaster and multiple literary techniques. Additionally, “Dulce et Decorum est” by Wilfred Owen explores similar perspectives, deviating from the archetypal representation of war to display the ignorance of the home-front to the realities of war, and the contrast in views between the front line and the home-front. In unison, the texts exhibit the devastating effects of war upon prospective, serving and returning soldiers.

Within All Quiet on the Western Front, the most prevalent theme is the horrific nature of war and its ramifications upon the soldiers, both mentally and physically. Through the use of dialogue, a vast contrast in emotion is displayed through Kemmerich’s death. “All three of us are thinking the same thing: even if he did get better he would only be able to use one of them, so they wouldn’t be any use to him.” Through this quotation …show more content…

Both similes are symbolic of the restrictive nature of war, and the dominant feeling of claustrophobia. Cages are representative of a lack of an escape route, and being subject to the actions of others, both voluntarily and involuntarily. The dialogue in which the boiler is mentioned – “It’s as if we are sitting inside a massive echoing boiler that is being pounded on every side” – exhibits the continuity of the shelling and its inescapable noise. Consequently, “one of the recruits” cracks, exemplifying the fear and tension of the scene, and its detrimental effects upon the soldiers. The ramifications of warfare upon soldiers are exhibited through the refined touch of Remarque, eloquently displaying their suffering in an ice-cold clarity. “Dulce et Decorum est” acts to display similar concepts, however, within an alternate

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