All Quiet on the Western Front - Independence

            As each day goes by the loss of innocence approaches, children outgrow their viewpoint on life and come to the realization growing up is a part of life. In the novel “All Quiet on the Western Front” by Erich Maria Remarque, the author portrays different aspects of life while exploring ‘what does it mean to be an adult?’ The main character, Paul Baumer, faces obstacles while coming up with his own conclusion on the issue of adulthood; although at 20 it’s a hard grasp the concept. Adulthood is independence, learning from past mistakes and evolving a new form of authority – it’s complicated and wonderful at the same time, yet sometimes possibly portrayed as an expectation when the reality is, it’s not easy. “We are no longer soldiers but little more than boys… It is a strange moment when we stand naked; then we become civilians, and almost feel ourselves to be so.” Underneath the masks of being an adult is the inner child, and that’s just what these men are, boys. The struggle of man vs. boys will continue until after the boys have finished their military duties; they entered children and will leave men. Overall the military makes a person travel ‘through hell to get to heaven’ and heaven in this case being independence - adulthood.  

All Quiet on the Wetsern Front - Boy vs. Man

            Throughout All Quiet on the Western Front a recurring theme/motif is the conflict between child and adult, boy vs. man. Paul Báumer and his fellow soldiers are young, 20 year old boys forced to suddenly mature and evolve to full grown men in the war. Although the task is hard because what truly makes an adult, an adult is learning from past experiences and developing independence. Yet these boys are under strict control and watched constantly, giving them less of authority. The boys situation relates to expectation vs. reality, becoming an adult seems to be so fabulous and portrayed differently as it really is. The reality is, being an adult requires responsibility and independence, the chance to think on your own without your parents making the decisions for you. Being an adult is lusted after, kids dream to ‘grow up’ yet ironically when those kids are adults they desire their youth again. Although doesn’t everybody want to regain their innocence, a time when things were simple and so uncomplicated?

WW1 - Diary Entry

Shaking with no sense of rhyme or reason I shoved my now blackened and bruised hands deep into my pockets. The frigid air was playing tricks on my mind and slowly the motivation I had before was lacking; now as I stood in the muddy pit filled with dead bodies the reality of the situation was clear. Returning to my wife, my kids, the life I had prior to the war would never be the same. The nightmares that dance into my mind as I ease into a slumber on the battlefield, will not subdue when I return home. Images of shots fired at young children from earlier that day engulfed my conscious; it was a never ending battle between the memories of my cherished home life and this grotesque war. The sweet aroma of my wife’s perfume lingered in the air, dancing below my nostrils until I finally inhaled one large breath; although the inhale no longer contained the sweet smell of lavender and lemons, but a tart repulsive odor. Violently I was shaken from the tiny cot I had slept in while serving in the bunker and thrown to the ground with my ears ringing. Our drill sergeants were spewing out orders but my train of thought wandered. The men in the bunker were in complete chaos, so much so that as I starred at their faces all I could make out was blurs. I fought the tears from streaming down my face by taking in another deep breath of the putrid air, filling my lungs to full capacity. Moments passed until no longer could I hold in these emotions, among all the other dismay, I screamed. Echoing throughout the bunker was the anger, sadness, confusion, loneliness and dismay of my words, yet I was not the only one. The other poor souls around me had families and lives too but for some reason nobody else mattered. For the seconds of silent, I dug my hands deeper into my pocket retrieving my wife’s locket. I fingered the shinny heart capsule containing a photo of my son and daughter letting all my emotions free. Slowly I closed my eyes - ignoring the pain this brutal war has brought upon me, ignoring the weeping of other strong men, and ignoring the love I lusted for my family, to do them proud- and gathered all the courage I had before descending out to the battlefield above. The responsibility of being a general in World War 1, to please Hitler, was my only priority. For now I couldn’t regret the choices I had made to get to this point; but rather endure what was ahead of me and hope at the end this journey would be my wife and kids with open arms and large smiles plastered on their faces.

Hyde and Jekyll - Who kills who

In the end one point is made clear Henry Jekyll/Edward Hyde is dead. Although how did It get too that point? Was it finally Jekyll deciding he must rid the world of Hyde by taking his own life? Or perhaps Hyde wanted the ultimate control, killing Jekyll and himself in the process? The struggle for control was a recurring theme throughout the whole novel, yet ironically the one thing most desired was just out of reach for both men. Jekyll thought having Hyde would create a sense of control, something he once lacked. Although by creating Hyde, Jekyll lost grasp of reality. He thought change would be the answer, yet all change did was give Jekyll a new perspective on life heading him into a new direction. This is why I believe Jekyll killed himself riding the world of Hyde in the process. “I am careless; this is my true hour of death and what is to follow concerns another than myself. I lay down the pen and proceed to seal up my confession, I bring the life of that unhappy Henry Jekyll to an end.” In the end Jekyll got the control to kill himself taking matters back into his own hands; thus ultimately reaching his main goal right before decease.

Hyde and Jekyll - Twins (Nature vs. Nuture)

            A theory Jekyll perceived as ‘twins born as one’ can be understandable given the circumstance. In the womb Jekyll believes ‘these polar twins should be continuously struggling’. Although I don’t think that there are two babies and one must either choose the fate of good or bad. I simply believe in the womb you are raised to be one, although the fate is not for you to decide. The fate of people is once again based off of nature vs. nurture. Yet Jekyll grew up fine with no sense of evil per say, he still had the evil in him. Which ultimately leads to the main conclusion Hyde was wearing Jekyll as a mask to be something he wasn’t. Hyde was always there for Jekyll whether he is at the surface or hidden underneath the lies. Eventually he was able to prevail which questioned Jekyll of his duality. Although it’s a confusing concept to wrap your head around a person is born as two yet combined to one which leaves them to face off later in life. As Jekyll showed throughout the plot of the whole novel; once the concept is truly grasped it becomes more understandable from his point of view.

Hyde and Jekyll - Addictions

            Being addicted doesn’t just mean to a substance, it can go further being addicted to people, sights, and feelings. The sense of having your opinion heard and control over any situation is always present. Jekyll is a man whose opinion is heard but never considered more than just an opinion. He has a character flaw of being too nice, to kind which overall results in Jekyll getting steeped on. The simple transformation from Jekyll to Hyde gives Jekyll the ultimate control and power he desires. Although ends up not turning out in his favor; with the duality of Hyde, Jekyll is slowly losing control. The one thing Jekyll lusted for the most was snatched right back. There’s always a want to be a different person, to do whatever a person pleases without society breathing down their neck which is why Jekyll preceded the transformations. Unfortunately Jekyll became addicted to the sense of control and authority without society grasping his neck.  Basically Jekyll/Hyde created a cause and effect, cause and effect chain reaction all because a lust leading to an addiction of control.