Going into the First World War, the people of the 20th century were enthusiastic. Everyone believed the war would last a few short months and the soldiers would be home by Christmas. However, as the war progressed, the soldiers quickly realized that these high expectations were not going to be met. Soldiers were dying at a rapid pace and with much of the war being fought in trenches, muddy areas, and cold weathers, diseases were killing soldiers just as quickly as the war was. The enthusiasm quickly faded and the results showed the reality of how ruthless the war was for the soldiers and the countries they were fighting for. As thousands of soldiers died and several of those who survived, suffered from shell shock, the reality of the war and …show more content…
He discussed how the war dehumanized the men by stating, “We have lost all feeling for one another…We are insensible, dead men, who through some trick, some dreadful magic, are still able to run and to kill.” This describes the hardships the soldiers were tasked with as they fought in the war. Unprepared for how harsh the war turned out to be the soldiers were overwhelmed with the amount of deaths that were occurring. Soldiers were unsure how to react because they were not expecting such a brutal war. They were witnessing one another die at a rapid rate and had to deal with the long lasting effects that came with this. Remarque also described how difficult it was for the soldiers to go on with their lives by stating, “We lie for an hour panting and resting before anyone speaks. We are so completely played out that in spite of our great hunger we do not think of the provisions.” This illustrates just how difficult the life of a soldier was during this war. The war was breaking down the soldiers and even in their times of rest, they were unable to function as they typically would if they were not in war conditions. All in all, Remarque stated that this war was leaving the soldiers …show more content…
In his poem, Disable, Owen describes how suddenly the mood of the war changed as the war moved forward. He stated, “And soon, he was drafted out with drums and cheers….Now he will spend a few sick years in Institutes.” Meaning, men were being drafted out in the war and everyone was joyful, believing he would come home just as he left. However, after the war proved to be as fatal as it was, the soldiers who survived were coming home and having to spend time in institutions to become mentally and physically stable. Owen was able to capture how miserable the war was for the soldiers and how it truly affected their well