All Quiet on the Western Front
how does the authors choice of language help communicate the soldiers state of mind?
In chapter 4 please hurry due tomorrow! thanks
In chapter 4 please hurry due tomorrow! thanks
Although my grandfather once told me this novel was lost in the translation from German to English, I've never known the difference. Remarque's language is sharp, quick, and to the point.... his choice of language reflects the pace of the war.... the movement of the soldier's minds. We aren't meant to reflect on the past or the present.... we're supposed to move forward with the story. The deaths of the soldiers almost seem ignored, and at times, we might not be able to understand why....... but the actions moves so quickly that we come to understand the soldiers had no time to look back...... to grieve...... and Remarque hasn't afforded us that luxury either.
I need to look for appropriate quotes......
Death...... the language regarding the death of a friend is cold, but it has to be. The men had to move on in order to survive.
"Under the skin the life no longer pulses, it has already pressed out to the boundaries of the body. Death is working through from within. It already has command in the eyes. Here lies our comrade, Kemmerich, who a little while ago was roasting horse-flesh with us and squatting in the shell-holes. He it is still and yet it is not he any longer."
Luxuries are noted and spent. These few sentences encompass hours of time. Again, his choice of language is quick and to the point.
"Yesterday we were relieved, and now our bellies are full of beef and haricot beans. We are satisfied and at peace. Each man has another mess-tin full for the evening; and, what is more, there is a double ration of sausage and bread. That puts a man in fine trim. "
All Quiet on the Western Front