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?