All Quiet on the Western Front- Writing Response #3

Author's Note: I wrote this piece about the miracle of life. The fact that there are so many evils in the world that appear to be "out to get us" makes life an adventure. The obstacles of evil try to slow us down but we have to persevere. We have to appreciate what is given and enjoy every moment. Enjoy(:

Life is a beautiful miracle—from trees to grass, from animals to people, from birth to death. We’re always told to appreciate what we have, because everything is a gift. After all, life is an once-in-a-lifetime adventure. But what’s the proof of this? Think about the numerous ways there are to die. So many people die every day, it’s a miracle we’re still alive. Nothing is guaranteed with our health, and life is a privilege, not a right. At any moment, the precious present of life can be snatched from our possession. All we can do is appreciate the time we have and take advantage of the memories we create. Avoid the bad, appreciate the good. If we don’t become tempted to the evil we could be a world of beautiful people. Miracles surround us constantly, and sometimes, we must take a step back and appreciate the fact that we are simply still alive.


“But had he not abandoned himself to the impulse he would now be a heap of mangled flesh.”

All Quiet on the Western Front- Writing Response #3

Author’s Note: I was inspired by the idea of growing up. These men had to age so quickly to be mature enough to handle war, yet even then, they still aren’t prepared or manly enough. This poem shows how some things from our childhood remain important for the rest of our lives, just like how the men are always playing games or teasing each other.
*I tried to work on my word choice and use kind of a driving/travelling theme for the diction in the piece, representing life’s never ending journey*

Adulthood Journey
Bigger, older, up,
Growing in every way.
Distancing our childhood,
Keeping just the memories.

Leaving behind innocence,
Traveling to experience.
Disregarding games and dolls,
Packing up our morals.

Some things carry no importance,
No need to remember.
Cartoons, toys and sassiness,
Depart us in a year.

Others we will never lose,
Never leave our minds.
Manners, thanks and happiness,
Will follow us forever.

The small belongings from our trip
These pieces we will carry,
Appear to be insignificant,
But eventually, construct our world.

All Quiet on the Western Front- Writing Response #2

Imagine having a peaceful life with family, friends, and a job—a content life. Now picture this situation—shooting people with snipers, bombarding people with bombs, mutilating people with machine guns. If this was the modification that had to be made, minds would go mad. In All Quiet on the Western Front, the author, Erich Remarque, through descriptive syntax, provides the idea that war is an interruption to the lives of these men.

These men—although their age proves them to be more like boys—were living normal lives, until the day they were drafted to the war. Paul had the beginning of a poem written before he was drafted. He said, “Many an evening I have worked over them—we all did something of the kind—but that has become so unreal to me I cannot comprehend it any more. Our early life is cut off from the moment we came here, and that without our lifting a hand.” Writing a poem is such a simple task, yet Paul can’t even take this with him to war. The way Remarque wrote this sentence is very explanatory and straightforward. With this sentence structure, it is easy for the reader to understand the terrors of leaving a typical life and entering the whole new world of combat.

All Quiet on the Western Front- Writing Response #1

Throughout history, women have been recognized as weaker, less significant, and even powerless compared to men. Rights were given to women after they fought for them, whereas with men, the rights were obvious and natural. Even in today’s society, although men and women are equal, being called a “girl” is not a compliment. In All Quiet on the Western Front, this man versus woman idea is becoming a motif.

In the first two chapters of the novel, a couple instances have appeared in which a man is called a girl and it is evidently not meant to be a flattering remark. The narrator of the story, Paul, makes a comment about his friend; “[Kemmerich] couldn't stand cigarettes. His skin was very white; he had something of the girl about him.” There is something unique about Kemmerich, and for this, he gains a reputation as a girl, losing his manliness. Our society has convinced us all that everyone is equal; however, this is obviously not true when calling someone a girl is an insult. Women have gained many important rights, but until the walls are completely broken down, a “girl” will still be known as a pathetic and fragile creature.