Jenna Wang All Quiet on the Western Front: Movie and Novel Comparison The German soldiers perspective

in the book, All Quiet on the Western Front was contrary to perspective of the U.S. soldiers in the movie, World War I: American Legacy. One reason was that of the German soldiers education, compared to the U.S. soldiers that graduated from wellknown universities. Another reason was that the U.S. soldiers had wanted to fight for their country, whereas the German soldiers had been forced to. Lastly, the soldiers in the novel had wanted to get more power and control, while the soldiers in the movie had focused on fighting to end fighting. From 1914 to 1918, 17 different world countries fought against one another, starting World War I. The German soldiers in the novel, had very little education and they did not graduate from universities as the U.S. soldiers had. One example was American Alan Seeger because he had graduated from Harvard University as a writer and a poet, but he had volunteered to become a private in the Foreign Legions to serve in the war. Another example was American Joyce Kilmer, who had graduated from the University of Columbia and later wanted to serve in the war. Lastly, American E.E. Cummings had graduated from Harvard University with an advanced degree. The U.S. soldiers had been more well-educated, graduating from well-known universities, than the German soldiers had. The German soldiers in the novel were drafted into the war to be soldiers, unlike the U.S. Soldiers who, by choice, wanted to devote their lives to the war. One example is that American Alan Seeger had volunteered to become a private in the Foreign Legion to serve in the war and help France defeat Germany. Another example was that the Harlem Hell Fighters had volunteered to become an American regiment. They had been one of the most enthusiastic, decorated regiments in the war. Lastly, the Lafayette Escadrille was a squadron of the French Air that was composed largely

of American volunteer pilots. U.S. soldiers had wanted to fight by their own decisions, whereas, the German soldiers had been forced to fight in the war, against their will. The higher officers in the novel struggled for power and forgot their purpose in the war, while the U.S. soldiers in the movie focus on helping their country, not on how much power they had. One example of the German officers trying to gain more power was when Paul describes that the army is based on having one man must always have power over another. Another example of the German officers trying to torment officer and soldiers below him was when Pauls Company Commander had ordered them to sing when they were wearily walking back from the front. Lastly, the soldiers would be tormented if they didnt follow the rules or insulted the higher officials. The goal for U.S. soldiers in World War I was to end the war, whereas, the German soldiers goals were mostly to earn more control over the army. The German soldiers perspective differed from the U.S. soldiers perspective in the World War I. One example is that the U.S. soldiers were better educated than the German soldiers. They had graduated from well-known universities, including, the IB League and Harvard University. Another example is that the German soldiers had no choice in serving as soldiers in the war. They had been forced to leave their families and complete their patriotic duty, while the U.S. soldiers had been willing to serve their country. There were many significant differences between the soldiers perspective in the novel, compared to the soldiers perspective in the movie.