Author’s Note – Right in the beginning of the chapter, these men face
war for the first time. They are still young, innocent to the world, and
oblivious to war.
Young
Forever Young
The world around me, flashing before my eyes.
I don’t want to grow up
Bullets, bombs, and warfare
Surrounding me, passing in front of my eyes
I stand frozen to the ground
I don’t know what to do
The amount of training won’t help me
The hours and hours of preparing for this won’t help me
I need to figure this out on my own
Growing up too quickly
Growing up too fast
My life is a whirlwind
Monday, March 19, 2012
What Is Really Hiding
The day a person turns 18 - possibly the
greatest landmark in a person's life. Becoming independent, gaining a
sense of maturity, and free of all-the-time command from parents. It is
possibly the greatest accomplishment a person can achieve.
But honestly, people don't develop emotionally and mentally into a true adult overnight. People need the time to develop and prosper the developing feels of adulthood.
When people go out and face the world as a single purpose, they are oblivious. They are unsure of what to do, where to go, and where to begin. They have been relying on their parents and peers in their life to guide them along the rocky paths of life.
People always have their little kid instincts inside of them. Crying your eyes out when something doens't go your way. Kicking and screaming and flailing your arms when your favorite team doens't win the playoffs. Wanting to cuddle up with your mommy and be told that everything is going to be alright.
The desire for childhood is impeccably strong, despite the age.
But honestly, people don't develop emotionally and mentally into a true adult overnight. People need the time to develop and prosper the developing feels of adulthood.
When people go out and face the world as a single purpose, they are oblivious. They are unsure of what to do, where to go, and where to begin. They have been relying on their parents and peers in their life to guide them along the rocky paths of life.
People always have their little kid instincts inside of them. Crying your eyes out when something doens't go your way. Kicking and screaming and flailing your arms when your favorite team doens't win the playoffs. Wanting to cuddle up with your mommy and be told that everything is going to be alright.
The desire for childhood is impeccably strong, despite the age.
Reoccurring Motif
A reoccurring motif that I believe is very important is the distinction
between a child-like manner and adulthood. These men have gained the
title of adult, still having the thoughts of their child-like
personalities. The four young men enlisted in the army to probably
complete the package of becoming an adult, and not just to have the
physical traits of one. Taking such a huge leap so quickly may not be
the best concept for these men, because maturing does not occur as
quickly as most would assume. The brutal trauma and death on the battle
field may scar these men, because they weren't as mature as they should
be for fighting in a war.
Reflecting on our own lives, we shouldn't have to rush into adulthood. Taking baby steps may be the best route to take.
Reflecting on our own lives, we shouldn't have to rush into adulthood. Taking baby steps may be the best route to take.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Lack of Maturity
Author's Note - All Quiet on the Western Front is an interesting story thus far. These four young men appear to be tough and strong-souled because they are enlisted into the war. In reality, they are children at heart.
As a child, most people look forward to the day
they turn 18, assuming they will acquire an immediate sense of
independence and maturity. In reality, maturity doesn't begin to course
throughout our veins over night; it needs time to prosper. In All Quiet
on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque, the author uses creative
word choice to portray that these four young men face reality’s
challenges in a war that may transform then indefinitely.
These four men may appear to have the physical traits of men, but they have the hearts of a child. Thinking that enlisting in the war will turn them into adults is a great thought, but it is easier said than done. These men are children at heart. Remarque writes, “We obeyed each order, since an order’s an order and has to be obeyed” (25). Taking orders from others goes back to the childhood days when we were learning discipline and how to treat others. This type of thought generally comes from a child, because adults realize that independence is crucial for development. Kids rely on their parents and their peers to guide them along. The author has a great technique of moving the readers to realize that eventually we will branch away from society and become people of a single purpose. These young men, and as well as people in general, have the souls of evolving children.
These four men may appear to have the physical traits of men, but they have the hearts of a child. Thinking that enlisting in the war will turn them into adults is a great thought, but it is easier said than done. These men are children at heart. Remarque writes, “We obeyed each order, since an order’s an order and has to be obeyed” (25). Taking orders from others goes back to the childhood days when we were learning discipline and how to treat others. This type of thought generally comes from a child, because adults realize that independence is crucial for development. Kids rely on their parents and their peers to guide them along. The author has a great technique of moving the readers to realize that eventually we will branch away from society and become people of a single purpose. These young men, and as well as people in general, have the souls of evolving children.
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