“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?”
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?”
“This is how I see humanity. When enemies come to your country, destroy the countryside and your village, kill your countrymen, your comrades and the defenseless wounded, you have to kill them and defend your compatriots; that is true humanity.”
“You, Bedouin of Libya who saved our lives, though you will dwell forever in my memory yet I shall never be able to recapture your features. You are Humanity and your face comes into my mind simply as man incarnate. You, our beloved fellowman, did not know who we might be, and yet you recognized us without fail. And I, in my turn, shall recognize you in the faces of all mankind. You came towards me in an aureole of charity and magnanimity bearing the gift of water. All my friends and all my enemies marched towards me in your person. It did not seem to me that you were rescuing me: rather did it seem that you were forgiving me. And I felt I had no enemy left in all the world.”