“Comrade, I did not want to kill you. . . . But you were only an idea to me before, an abstraction that lived in my mind and called forth its appropriate response. . . . I thought of your hand-grenades, of your bayonet, of your rifle; now I see your wife and your face and our fellowship. Forgive me, comrade. We always see it too late. Why do they never tell us that you are poor devils like us, that your mothers are just as anxious as ours, and that we have the same fear of death, and the same dying and the same agony—Forgive me, comrade; how could you be my enemy?”
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Analysis:
In this quote from Erich Maria Remarque's novel "All Quiet on the Western Front," the protagonist expresses his realization of the common humanity shared between enemy soldiers during war. Initially viewing his opponent as a mere abstraction, he comes to understand that they are both individuals with families, fears, and the same desire to survive. Through this reflection, the protagonist questions the motives behind the conflict and expresses remorse for seeing his enemy solely as a target. This quote emphasizes the senselessness and tragedy of war, highlighting the dehumanizing effects it can have on individuals on both sides of the conflict.
Modern Relevance
In this poignant quote from Erich Maria Remarque's novel "All Quiet on the Western Front," the protagonist reflects on the dehumanizing effects of war and the realization that enemies on the battlefield are ultimately just fellow human beings. This message of empathy, understanding, and the shared humanity of all individuals is still relevant in today's world, where conflicts and divisions continue to separate people based on abstract ideas rather than recognizing their common struggles and aspirations.
Example of Usage:
In this poignant excerpt from Erich Maria Remarque's novel, the protagonist reflects on the humanity of his former enemy during wartime. The passage explores the realization that soldiers on opposing sides are actually much more alike than they initially seem.
Reflection Questions
In this powerful quote from Erich Maria Remarque's novel "All Quiet on the Western Front," the narrator reflects on the humanity of his enemy in the midst of war. This raises important questions about the dehumanization of the enemy in conflict and the universal experiences shared by soldiers on both sides. Reflect on the following questions:
- How does this quote challenge the idea of the enemy as a faceless opponent in war?
- What impact does dehumanizing the enemy have on soldiers' perceptions and actions during combat?
- How might understanding the similarities between oneself and the enemy change attitudes towards war and conflict?
- In what ways does this quote highlight the tragic consequences of seeing the enemy as a mere abstraction or idea?
Similar quotes
“But now, for the first time, I see you are a man like me. I thought of your hand-grenades, of your bayonet, of your rifle; now I see your wife and your face and our fellowship. Forgive me, comrade. We always see it too late. Why do they never tell us that you are poor devils like us, that your mothers are just as anxious as ours, and that we have the same fear of death, and the same dying and the same agony--Forgive me, comrade; how could you be my enemy?”
“But you were only an idea to me before, an abstraction that lived in my mind and called forth its appropriate response. It was that abstraction I stabbed. But now, for the first time, I see you are a man like me. I thought of your hand-grenades, of your bayonet, of your rifle; now I see your wife and your face and our fellowship. Forgive me, comrade. We always see it too late. Why do they never tell us that you are poor devils like us, that your mothers are just as anxious as ours, and that we have the same fear of death, and the same dying and the same agony - Forgive me, comrade; how could you be my enemy? If we threw away these rifles and this uniform you could be my brother just like Kat and Albert. Take twenty years of my life, comrade, and stand up - take more, for I do not know what I can even attempt to do with it now.”
“Why do they never tell us that you are poor devils like us, that your mothers are just as anxious as ours, and that we have the same fear of death, and the same dying and the same agony—Forgive me, comrade; how could you be my enemy?”
“The things here are stronger--the things that differentiate us from one another are too powerful. The common interest is no longer decisive. It has broken up already and given place to the interest of the individual. Now and then something still will shine through from that other time when we all wore the same rig, but already it is dwindled and dim. These others here are still our comrades and yet our comrades no longer--that is what is so sad. All else went west in the war, but comradeship we did believe in; now only to find that what death could not do, life is achieving; it is driving us asunder.”
“The days, the weeks, the years out here shall come back again, and our dead comrades shall then stand up again and march with us, our heads shall be clear, we shall have a purpose, and so we shall march, our dead comrades beside us, the years at the Front behind us:—against whom, against whom?”
“I am no longer a shuddering speck of existence, alone in the darkness;--I belong to them and they to me; we all share the same fear and the same life...I could bury my face in them, in these voices, these words that have saved me and will stand by me.”