Analyze whether there are any heroes presented in All Quiet on the Western Front so far. What is the nature of their heroism? Are there any villains in the novel? What makes them villainous
5 comments:
Anonymous
said...
Thus far, in "All Quiet on the Western Front," the heroes that are presented in this novel are the young men who lose their lives while fighting for their nation. To some, a hero maybe an individual who epitomizes masculinity by sustaining a muscular anatomy along with a beautiful, female sidekick. However, in my eyes, a hero is someone who is willing to risk his life to ensure the saftey of others. Even though people may think that soldiers are meant to kill and die, they are not aware of the hardships they endure while defending their country against the "enemy". For instance, Franz Kemmerich, a young comrade of Paul, loses his life after getting his leg amputated. If he wasn't enlisted in the German army, and didn't whole-heartedly engage in battle, then unquestionably he would still be alive. However, since Franz obtains such a self-willed nature, he chose to pursue this intense and dangerous path, for it was something he believed in. Unfortunately for him, he had to face the ultimate consequence; death. Evidently, Kemmerich is truly a hero, like every other fallen soldier, even if he doesn't receive gratitude or recognition for his commendable bravery. Asides from the obvious enemies (the French and British), the main villain so far in this novel is corporal Himmelstoss. A former postman, Himmelstoss serves to be the utmost despised person on the Front Line. Due to the fact that he forces the young soldiers to obey his strict commands, and stand outside in the freezing cold without gloves, only for his personal entertainment, he acquires a bad reputation for himself. Quiet frankly, the conditions are so severe on the front, for men are losing their lives on a regular basis. Therefore, the soldiers are faced with such horror and brutality already, but Himmelstoss thrives upon the opportunity to make their lives even more miserable. Even though in chapter seven, the corporal tries to befriend the boys, I feel that he is only doing this to cover up his cowardly behaviour, which he exposed previously, during the trench warfare. Unmistakably, "All Quiet on the Western Front," is a novel which deals with both the good and evil that lingers within humans.
As of actual characters in “All Quiet on the Western Front” I don’t believe that there are any heroes. The sort of things like a soldier helping out a comrade when he’s wounded, I wouldn’t say is particularly a hero in this story. And though others may consider it heroism, I don’t believe it has a great deal to what is revolving around the main character and the story. What I believe, the bond between Paul in his comrades is somewhat of the hero in this story. Because without these bonds holding their friendship together Paul wouldn’t be able to control his emotions and endurance of the war like he has done so already. The only thing that keeps Paul and his comrades human and not engulfed by the war is their friendship. And even with his fellow comrades the reader yet still sees the toll the war has taken on Paul’s state of mind and it inquires the reader on how much more he can endure. With that said, I also believe the villain of the story would be the war itself and not his enemies he has to fight. And because of the war Paul can no longer function as a normal human being, and we see that in chapter seven when he returns home on leave and he is no longer himself. And though physically unharmed he appears to be mentally scarred and all of his thoughts revolve being in war. Even normal events trigger past experiences in war. For example, he hears a train past by and he associates it with the sound of shells whizzing over his head. Here and there we see the war take its toll on Paul, and yet he remains to keep his composure for the most part. And regarding the character Himmelstoss I don’t see him as a villain at all. If any of the characters were to be heroes so far it would be him. And though his behaviour at the beginning of the novel showed him to be a completely cruel character. Perhaps his cruelty was necessary to prepare Paul into understanding the realties of the war.
Though both Manvir and Robin have unique and relevant points to the topic of heroism and villainy in "All Quiet on the Western Front," I do not fully agree with either. I do not consider the soldiers to be heroes in the classical sense, because then it would be too easy to be a hero. It's not that I am understating the importance of soldiers - especially during war-times -, but I believe they are not heroes; rather, they are brave and honourable men. We can not regard men like Katczinsky and Paul Baumer as heroes simply because they chose (or were ordered) to take part in the savage First World War. I think a man or woman only truly qualifies as a hero when they perform an act that is excessively brave, unexpected, or substantial to a nation's cause, on top of their already sworn duty to defend what is so wholly cherished by the citizens of that nation - freedom and quality life. In this sense I would have to agree with Robin in saying that Himmelstoss, to this point, has proven to be the most heroic. Yes, he had a momentary lapse in judgement which rendered him useless and frightened when he should have been the complete opposite, but ultimately his training and determination kicked in. Himmelstoss bravely carried Paul's injured friend, Haie Westhus, to safety, while being fired upon. So, to me, he has gone the extra mile and is therefore more eligible to be referred to as a hero than the others. As well, though his behaviour early in the novel may have seemed harsh and unforgivable, I once again have to agree with Robin in saying that harsh training and harsh discipline are often necessary because how else could a man be prepared for the horrors of the front line? As for villains in the story until now, I would have to agree with Manvir. Himmelstoss, though it may seem contradictory to what I have already said, is the biggest villain so far. At least, this is what I think in the perspective of Paul Baumer and his friends. He may find it necessary to be harsh, and maybe it is, but it still doesn't do much to empower or encourage the troops he is in charge of. It is quite ironic that the biggest villain in the story until now is also the biggest hero, and he is not even technically an enemy. The enemy soldiers can not really even be regarded as villains, because they, like Paul Baumer and his friends, are simply pawns in this massive war, being ordered to fight. War, after all, is nothing but old men talking and brave young men dying.
In the 'All Quiet on the Western Front", there is no real hero's so far. In my mind, hero is a super and patriotic figure who sacrifices him or her self for others. But in the story, the soldiers had to die on the battle field because they have no other choice. They don't want to die themselves at all. But they could be considered heros, because they did sacrifice themselves for their country. They joined the war army with their patriotic and romantic ideas, hoping that with their braveness they could become a hero. If we see from this view point, then every soldier that died on the battle field is a hero. For example,Bhem is a hero, because he was one of the first of Paul's class to die. He served himself for his own country. He was left for dead on the front, and when he tried to crawl back, he was killed before anyone could help him. If the did not choose to join the army, this will not happen at all. The soldiers could not blame anyone for Behm's death, but it is Behm that revealed the truth of combat. He is a hero who died with braveness. And other hero example is Kemmerich, who's foot has been amputated, but he doesn't know it. He give all his youth to the war, and even his life. So basically, every soldier who faced the horror of the war bravely, who sacrificed himself for protcting the country is a hero. Because the soldiers could run away from the battle, but they didn't. And in the novel, there is no real villain either. Even though there is one chatacter, Himmelstoss was very mean the savagery to the soldiers. But it is all because the the military authority that is given to him changed him to a savergery person. So if we have to choose one could be considered villain is Himmelstoss. Before he was just a postman, but he is given the military authority, he enjoyes using his power by being mean to the soldiers, forcing them to do all kinds of ridiculous things. Such as he forced Paul to clean the Corporal's mess with a toothbrush. He made the soldiers clear the snow with a hand-broom and a dust pan in the cold, which could cause the soldiers lose their hands. And also, he made Tjaden and Kindervater who wet their beds share a same bunk as a punishment. But he had been ordered to front where the soldiers know more then he does. However, when he is sent to fight at the front, Himmelstoss experiences the same terror with the other soldiers.And then he quickly changed himself, he tries to make amends for his past behavior, and even wins Tjaden over his side. Therefore, Himmelstoss is not a real villain, it is only his past behavior that made him villainous.
I think so far, in this novel, all the main characters are heroes, even the enemies are heroes. Even if the enemies aren't being heroic by helping the main characters, they are being heroic for their nation. I think that all the soldiers are heroes to the country. They all are risking their lives to be fighting for their country. Individually, they may not have performed any specific heroic act, but together, they were heroes to have fought the opposing army and still return with some still alive. I think that every little thing that someone does can make them a hero, and it just depends on what perspective you look at it. It's like do you appreciate things? For example that's not in the war scene, when people are playing catch, and one person has the ball thrown to them, and another person intercepts, would that 2nd person be seen as a hero who saved the first person from getting fit in the face with the ball?, or were they just doing things that was not needed, and the first person could have gotten it themselves. I think a hero is anyone who looks out for the better good of not just themselves, but for others too. Heroes don't need to save lives, but just have that intent, heroes just need to be born that way with that heart. To my a villian is anyone who deliberately tries to hurt others, which is the complete opposite of a hero. But I also think all the soldiers are villians, because each and everyone of them are out there killing the opposing army. Even if they are doing it to protect themselves, they are still purposly trying to hurt others, and that makes them villians. In real life, all those murders probully think that they are doing the right thing because they are just protecting themselves, but purposely hurting someone makes you a villian. In the end, I think everyone is an hero and a villian combined, in the book and in real life, but it all depends from which perspective you are looking at it.
5 comments:
Thus far, in "All Quiet on the Western Front," the heroes that are presented in this novel are the young men who lose their lives while fighting for their nation. To some, a hero maybe an individual who epitomizes masculinity by sustaining a muscular anatomy along with a beautiful, female sidekick. However, in my eyes, a hero is someone who is willing to risk his life to ensure the saftey of others. Even though people may think that soldiers are meant to kill and die, they are not aware of the hardships they endure while defending their country against the "enemy". For instance, Franz Kemmerich, a young comrade of Paul, loses his life after getting his leg amputated. If he wasn't enlisted in the German army, and didn't whole-heartedly engage in battle, then unquestionably he would still be alive. However, since Franz obtains such a self-willed nature, he chose to pursue this intense and dangerous path, for it was something he believed in. Unfortunately for him, he had to face the ultimate consequence; death. Evidently, Kemmerich is truly a hero, like every other fallen soldier, even if he doesn't receive gratitude or recognition for his commendable bravery.
Asides from the obvious enemies (the French and British), the main villain so far in this novel is corporal Himmelstoss. A former postman, Himmelstoss serves to be the utmost despised person on the Front Line. Due to the fact that he forces the young soldiers to obey his strict commands, and stand outside in the freezing cold without gloves, only for his personal entertainment, he acquires a bad reputation for himself. Quiet frankly, the conditions are so severe on the front, for men are losing their lives on a regular basis. Therefore, the soldiers are faced with such horror and brutality already, but Himmelstoss thrives upon the opportunity to make their lives even more miserable. Even though in chapter seven, the corporal tries to befriend the boys, I feel that he is only doing this to cover up his cowardly behaviour, which he exposed previously, during the trench warfare. Unmistakably, "All Quiet on the Western Front," is a novel which deals with both the good and evil that lingers within humans.
As of actual characters in “All Quiet on the Western Front” I don’t believe that there are any heroes. The sort of things like a soldier helping out a comrade when he’s wounded, I wouldn’t say is particularly a hero in this story. And though others may consider it heroism, I don’t believe it has a great deal to what is revolving around the main character and the story. What I believe, the bond between Paul in his comrades is somewhat of the hero in this story. Because without these bonds holding their friendship together Paul wouldn’t be able to control his emotions and endurance of the war like he has done so already. The only thing that keeps Paul and his comrades human and not engulfed by the war is their friendship. And even with his fellow comrades the reader yet still sees the toll the war has taken on Paul’s state of mind and it inquires the reader on how much more he can endure. With that said, I also believe the villain of the story would be the war itself and not his enemies he has to fight. And because of the war Paul can no longer function as a normal human being, and we see that in chapter seven when he returns home on leave and he is no longer himself. And though physically unharmed he appears to be mentally scarred and all of his thoughts revolve being in war. Even normal events trigger past experiences in war. For example, he hears a train past by and he associates it with the sound of shells whizzing over his head. Here and there we see the war take its toll on Paul, and yet he remains to keep his composure for the most part.
And regarding the character Himmelstoss I don’t see him as a villain at all. If any of the characters were to be heroes so far it would be him. And though his behaviour at the beginning of the novel showed him to be a completely cruel character. Perhaps his cruelty was necessary to prepare Paul into understanding the realties of the war.
Though both Manvir and Robin have unique and relevant points to the topic of heroism and villainy in "All Quiet on the Western Front," I do not fully agree with either. I do not consider the soldiers to be heroes in the classical sense, because then it would be too easy to be a hero. It's not that I am understating the importance of soldiers - especially during war-times -, but I believe they are not heroes; rather, they are brave and honourable men. We can not regard men like Katczinsky and Paul Baumer as heroes simply because they chose (or were ordered) to take part in the savage First World War. I think a man or woman only truly qualifies as a hero when they perform an act that is excessively brave, unexpected, or substantial to a nation's cause, on top of their already sworn duty to defend what is so wholly cherished by the citizens of that nation - freedom and quality life. In this sense I would have to agree with Robin in saying that Himmelstoss, to this point, has proven to be the most heroic. Yes, he had a momentary lapse in judgement which rendered him useless and frightened when he should have been the complete opposite, but ultimately his training and determination kicked in. Himmelstoss bravely carried Paul's injured friend, Haie Westhus, to safety, while being fired upon. So, to me, he has gone the extra mile and is therefore more eligible to be referred to as a hero than the others. As well, though his behaviour early in the novel may have seemed harsh and unforgivable, I once again have to agree with Robin in saying that harsh training and harsh discipline are often necessary because how else could a man be prepared for the horrors of the front line?
As for villains in the story until now, I would have to agree with Manvir. Himmelstoss, though it may seem contradictory to what I have already said, is the biggest villain so far. At least, this is what I think in the perspective of Paul Baumer and his friends. He may find it necessary to be harsh, and maybe it is, but it still doesn't do much to empower or encourage the troops he is in charge of. It is quite ironic that the biggest villain in the story until now is also the biggest hero, and he is not even technically an enemy. The enemy soldiers can not really even be regarded as villains, because they, like Paul Baumer and his friends, are simply pawns in this massive war, being ordered to fight. War, after all, is nothing but old men talking and brave young men dying.
In the 'All Quiet on the Western Front", there is no real hero's so far. In my mind, hero is a super and patriotic figure who sacrifices him or her self for others. But in the story, the soldiers had to die on the battle field because they have no other choice. They don't want to die themselves at all. But they could be considered heros, because they did sacrifice themselves for their country. They joined the war army with their patriotic and romantic ideas, hoping that with their braveness they could become a hero. If we see from this view point, then every soldier that died on the battle field is a hero. For example,Bhem is a hero, because he was one of the first of Paul's class to die. He served himself for his own country. He was left for dead on the front, and when he tried to crawl back, he was killed before anyone could help him. If the did not choose to join the army, this will not happen at all. The soldiers could not blame anyone for Behm's death, but it is Behm that revealed the truth of combat. He is a hero who died with braveness. And other hero example is Kemmerich, who's foot has been amputated, but he doesn't know it. He give all his youth to the war, and even his life. So basically, every soldier who faced the horror of the war bravely, who sacrificed himself for protcting the country is a hero. Because the soldiers could run away from the battle, but they didn't.
And in the novel, there is no real villain either. Even though there is one chatacter, Himmelstoss was very mean the savagery to the soldiers. But it is all because the the military authority that is given to him changed him to a savergery person. So if we have to choose one could be considered villain is Himmelstoss. Before he was just a postman, but he is given the military authority, he enjoyes using his power by being mean to the soldiers, forcing them to do all kinds of ridiculous things. Such as he forced Paul to clean the Corporal's mess with a toothbrush. He made the soldiers clear the snow with a hand-broom and a dust pan in the cold, which could cause the soldiers lose their hands. And also, he made Tjaden and Kindervater who wet their beds share a same bunk as a punishment. But he had been ordered to front where the soldiers know more then he does. However, when he is sent to fight at the front, Himmelstoss experiences the same terror with the other soldiers.And then he quickly changed himself, he tries to make amends for his past behavior, and even wins Tjaden over his side. Therefore, Himmelstoss is not a real villain, it is only his past behavior that made him villainous.
I think so far, in this novel, all the main characters are heroes, even the enemies are heroes. Even if the enemies aren't being heroic by helping the main characters, they are being heroic for their nation. I think that all the soldiers are heroes to the country. They all are risking their lives to be fighting for their country. Individually, they may not have performed any specific heroic act, but together, they were heroes to have fought the opposing army and still return with some still alive. I think that every little thing that someone does can make them a hero, and it just depends on what perspective you look at it. It's like do you appreciate things? For example that's not in the war scene, when people are playing catch, and one person has the ball thrown to them, and another person intercepts, would that 2nd person be seen as a hero who saved the first person from getting fit in the face with the ball?, or were they just doing things that was not needed, and the first person could have gotten it themselves.
I think a hero is anyone who looks out for the better good of not just themselves, but for others too. Heroes don't need to save lives, but just have that intent, heroes just need to be born that way with that heart.
To my a villian is anyone who deliberately tries to hurt others, which is the complete opposite of a hero. But I also think all the soldiers are villians, because each and everyone of them are out there killing the opposing army. Even if they are doing it to protect themselves, they are still purposly trying to hurt others, and that makes them villians. In real life, all those murders probully think that they are doing the right thing because they are just protecting themselves, but purposely hurting someone makes you a villian.
In the end, I think everyone is an hero and a villian combined, in the book and in real life, but it all depends from which perspective you are looking at it.
Post a Comment