Food and Relationships: How to Nourish Both

Introduction 

All Quiet on the Western Front is a novel by Erich Maria Remarque that captures the occurrences and events that are associated with World War I. The writer who is a veteran German soldier fought in World War I and the novel can be viewed as more of a historical account as opposed to a fictitious work. The novel focuses on the extremities of World War I especially on the German soldiers, as they had to detach themselves from civilian life. More so, the novel describes both the physical and mental torment and anguish that the soldiers were exposed to in the course of the war. The title suggests a stagnant kind of life that does not allow the characters to move on or become better versions of them, which must be disappointing. The novel's major theme is relationships in the context of the sacrifices that people commit to ensuring that the significant others have a better life. At times people are forced to come together in a show of comradeship to protect their sanity and relationships. During other times, the war demands so much that the existing relationships are under threat, as everyone is keen on surviving the tough and demanding nature of the war. An analysis of this novel helps to determine whether the novel is historically accurate and if Remarque should be considered an accurate historian.

Relationships as espoused in All Quiet on the Western Front 

Erich Maria Remarque explores the theme of relationships in the novel from a military perspective considering that he was a German soldier. The author is of the idea that individuals must sacrifice even what is most valuable to them all in the name of enhancing relationships. This proposition is evidenced by how Paul’s family sacrificed the last jar of whortleberries they had bought and gave it to Paul. The family understood that Paul loved whortleberries and they preferred to give it up in as much as they had not eaten them for three months owing to financial problems 1 . This gesture of giving up something that they much deserved for the sake of a family member establishes that relationships are far much of value as compared to food and other physical things. In spite of this family has little to eat, it does not hesitate to appreciate Paul’s offer to share his potato cakes with him.

The sharing brings so much joy to the family that has had to undergo hard economic times owing to the devastating effects of the war. At this point, the family is not concerned about the previous or the current challenges and hardships but that they are together again as a family. Paul who knows all too well the challenges associated with the war having witnessed food shortage shares everything he can get with his family. At one point Paul brought home edamer cheese, two loaves of bread, and two cans of livered sausages to ensure that his family had something to eat 2 . Were it not for the sake of building relationships Paul would have just kept the food to himself considering it may not help much in dealing with food shortage. However, Paul chooses family above food and this helps to build up the relationship he has with his family. The war had separated Paul from his family and he would not trade the time he has with his family with anything, not even food.

Relationships not only thrive in a family setup as the writer establishes that even strangers are capable of building and maintaining relationships wherever they are. For this to happen though, these people should be in a similar and depressing situation, which requires them to team up to conquer the challenges. The war brought together people from different backgrounds and who had an agenda of securing their freedom and that of the future generations. The war zone helped to create and establish new relationships between the soldiers as they thought of ways to survive the demands of the war. Whenever the soldiers managed to raid an enemy troop and render the enemies helpless, they would celebrate their victory over Cognac 3 . This kind of celebration was one way of enhancing their relationship so that they would collaborate as they planned for subsequent raids. The celebrations brought the soldiers together as it helped them realize that they were united for a common cause and the success of their mission was dependent on their unity.

Respect for authority is a central concept when it comes to relationships, as individuals must understand their place in any relationship. The soldiers’ relationships though mutual and based on common interests were hierarchical with some soldiers holding higher positions of power that gave the authority. The narrator establishes that he was placed under the leadership of Corporal Himmelstoss who headed platoon no. 9. The relationship between the members of this platoon can be considered as bittersweet depending on who one was relating to at any particular time. For instance, Corporal Himmelstoss is said to be a strict disciplinarian with twelve-year’ experience who did not get along with the narrator, Kropp, Tjaden, and Westhus 4 . The corporal felt that these individuals were defiant and this kind of defiance created strained relationships, which may have slowed down the war. The narrator remembers this one time that he was forced to make the corporal bed fourteen times and each time, the corporal found fault with the bed 5 . The same happened to the other three of his friends who were forced to undertake inhumane tasks just to satisfy the ego of their platoon leader. It is clear that this kind of relationship may have made their lives harder in spite of the demands of the war that had separated them from their normal and easy civilian lives. In spite of the strained relationships, the soldiers found friends amongst themselves and these new friendships help to make life more bearable in the war front.

Death, injuries, dismemberment, diseases, and suffering are all a part of the war front and a soldier is always ready to end up as an amputee or dead. All Quiet on the Western Front captures the challenges associated with the war by focusing on the injuries and deaths. The narrator witnessed firsthand numerous deaths, injuries, and amputations of his fellow soldiers in battleground. In the face of all the pain, the only thing that kept these soldiers going is the relationships they had with others. Soldiers offered support and care to their injured, dying, and amputated fellows so that they could overcome the pain. The doctors who are supposed to offer hope to the suffering soldiers are very casual of the situation and even go ahead to boast of their accomplishments. The narrator focuses on the case of Franz Kemmerich, an eighteen-year-old soldier whose leg has been amputated and who deserved the doctor’s help 6 . However, the doctor is not concerned about him and this lack of concern worries the narrator. The narrator steps in to comfort Hanz and tells him that maybe next time the doctor would think of moving him. The narrator sits with Hanz all this time as he observes his condition become worse as his lips fall away, his mouth becomes larger and his flesh melts. This turn of events, discourage the narrator considering that he and Franz grew up together as they were friends. This friendship allows the narrator to bathe Franz as he hopes that he will not die though he succumbs and dies. The narrator is devastated by having lost a childhood friend and a fellow soldier who had big dreams to become a head-forester. Franz though dead spent his last breath with a caring friend something that must have eased the pain that he was going through as well as the uncertainties he had.

Relationships in Comparison to Six Letters 

Letters were the main way that World War I soldiers used to communicate with their families back at home or even capture the events of the war. In a way, the letters could be viewed as dairies that entail the important aspects of the war and they help to preserve history. More so, the letters help to establish the kind of relationships the soldiers had with the fellow soldiers as well as their families back at home. Jack Malcolm's letter to his sister Olga is a clear indication of the kind of relationship the soldier had with his sister. Malcolm is concerned about her sister’s and Marion’s troubles in spite of having his own fair share of challenges 7 . The kind of relationship he has with his sister allows him to let her into his medical situation as he has tonsils as well as the previous successes in battle. This kind of relationship is perhaps what keeps the soldier going in spite of the obvious challenges at the battlefront.

T. J Simpson’s letter to Newman Peter’s that was dated 11 June 1916 portrays a different kind of relationship among the soldiers. Sergeant Simpson's letter is about the death of Pete one of the soldiers that were under his charge and who received so much praise. The sergeant establishes that all loved Pete as he was committed to caring for others involved in the battle. Pete used his energy and skill to save the lives of others without regard to his safety. His death was painful for the sergeant who agrees that no words could be enough to express the loss. Looking at this letter one cannot fail to notice that Pete had managed to build good relationships with his fellow soldiers and for this he was seen as ‘the whitest little chap’ the sergeant had met 8 .

Elsie’s letter to Margaret carries a sisterly kind of love and relationship for the two women who grapple with the reality of the war. Elsie encourages Margaret her friend and who has been called upon to join the war, which is definitely going to be a tough call. Elsie is surprised that Margaret is not scared about the task ahead probably because Murray possessed similar faith. The two seem to have a great bond that allows them to go through suffering together. Elsie wishes that she could be with Margaret in her new undertaking considering that Margaret was there for her too 9 . This letter establishes the importance of friendship in helping one to face his or her fears knowing they have a support system.

Amos William's letter from his mother Betty describes the kind of a relationship that exists between the soldier, his immediate family, and his neighbors. Amos’s mother is concerned about the health of her son who was wounded on the battlefield. The family is sympathetic about Wills's condition and they hope and pray that he will regain his health soon and come home back soon and alive. The family promises to take of Will where they will nurse and coddle him with his daughter becoming an attentive nurse. Wills condition has taken a toll on Betty’s wellbeing as she cannot help but cry although the children comfort her 10 . This letter asserts that Will has a good relationship with his family and regaining his health back is a priority. With this kind of love, Will is likely to regain his health and resume his military and civic duties.

Howard Curtis wrote a letter to his sister Eunice about the war situation on the battlefield. The letter establishes the kind of relationship between both as he narrates the occurrence of the battlefront into fine details. Curtis promises Eunice that he plans to bring back a souvenir marking the importance of gifts in helping relationships to thrive. Curtis feels separated from the people he loves and he wishes that the battle would end soon to bring lasting peace 11 . When the battle ends a lasting solution found, then Curtis will have a chance to be with his family. He asks his sister to give regards to everybody at home establishing their importance to his mission.

Archibald John’s letter from his mother is an indication of the kind of relationship that exists between a mother and a son who is serving in the military. Archibald’s mother writes in response to the letter she received regarding her son’s health having been wounded in the war. The mother prays that her son will recover soon and come back to them as soon as possible. This kind of care and concern is shared by Archibald’s siblings, father, neighbors nod family friends 12 . One can establish that the family cares about one another in a profound manner. With this kind of life Archibald is most likely recover much quicker and return to his loving family.

Assessment of Accuracy of the novel and suitability of Remarque as a historian 

The novel by Remarque is highly accurate considering that Remarque who was part of the soldiers who fought in the war narrates the events. In a way, the novel could be viewed as more of a bibliographical account as opposed to a fictitious work. The author who doubles up as the narrator brings reality into the novel as he narrates what happens in first person. The events of this novel correlate with history in terms of the intensity of the war, its effects, and the casualties. Remarque narrates how his fellow soldiers died under the enemy's weapons of mass destruction and how most of them ended as amputees. The letters back these claims from World War I, which point to the dire effects of the war. Soldiers died in their millions and the survivors told tales of their experiences at the battlefront. For these reasons, one can conclude that the novel is historically accurate and that Remarque is a credible historian.

Conclusion 

Relationships are a central theme in Remarque’s novel All is Quiet on the Western Front as they help the soldiers and their families to survive the effects of war. The war definitely interrupted the way, as the people knew it and these new realities brought about hopelessness owing to separation and mass deaths. In spite of these challenges, the soldiers and their families drew much strength from the relationship they had to stay alive. Soldiers and their families wrote and exchanged letters in the hope of assuring and encouraging one another to endure until lasting peace was found. The tough war was won not because of heavy and sophisticated military equipment but because of relationships. Victories and losses alike brought the soldiers and the families together until the end of the war. Remarque did a commendable job as both a soldier and an author who wrote the novel from both a historical and personal perspective.

Bibliography

Brown, Jack Malcolm. “Letter.” Canadian Letters. 1917. https://www.canadianletters.ca/

Curtis, William Howard, M. M. “Letter.” Canadian Letters . 1915. https://www.canadianletters.ca/document-47695

De Beauregard, Raphaëlle Costa. “Struggling for or against memories: E.M. Remarque’s 1928 novel All Quiet on the Western Front and its 1930 and 1980 Hollywood transpositions.” Caliban ,53(2015): 135-152.

Dennis, Wellington Murray, and Margaret Munro. “Letter.” Canadian Letters . 1918. https://www.canadianletters.ca/document-42974

Mayse, Amos William (Will). “Letter.” Canadian Letters. 1917. https://www.canadianletters.ca/document-50683

Newman, Peter. “Letter” Canadian Letters. 1916. https://www.canadianletters.ca/content/document-2781

Polson, Archibald John. “Letter.” Canadian Letters. 1917. https://www.canadianletters.ca/document-43176

Remarque, Erich Maria. All Quiet on the Western Front. Vol. 68. Bloomsbury Publishing USA, 2004.

1 Erich Maria Remarque, All Quiet on the Western Front. Vol. 68 , [Bloomsbury Publishing USA, 2004], 12.

2 Ibid, 34.

3 Raphaëlle Costa De Beauregard, “Struggling for or against memories: E.M. Remarque’s 1928 novel All Quiet on the Western Front and its 1930 and 1980 Hollywood transpositions,” Caliban , 53(2015): 136.

4 Remarque, All Quiet on the Western Front , 37.

5 Ibid, 40. 

6 Erich Maria Remarque, All Quiet on the Western Front , 55.

7 Jack Malcolm Brown, “Letter,” 1917. https://www.canadianletters.ca/

8 Peter Newman, “Letter,”. 1916. https://www.canadianletters.ca/content/document-2781

9 Wellington Murray Dennis and Margaret Munro, “Letter,” 1918. https://www.canadianletters.ca/document-42974

10 Amos William Mayse, (Will). “Letter” 1917. https://www.canadianletters.ca/document-50683

11 William Howard, M. M. Curtis, “Letter” 1915. https://www.canadianletters.ca/document-47695

12 Archibald John Polson, “Letter,” 1917. https://www.canadianletters.ca/document-43176