Category Literature

What is Erich Maria Remarque’s purpose for writing ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’?

Erich Maria Remarque’s ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ stands tall as a paramount piece of anti-war literature, capturing the harrowing tale of a generation vanquished by World War 1. The first-ever non English adaptation of this literary masterpiece is honoured with nine Academy Award nominations this year. Let us revisit this classic and see what makes it relevant today.

About the author

Erich Maria Remarque was born in Osnabruck, Germany, in 1898 into a lower-middle-class family. As a young man of 18, he was pursuing higher education at the University of Munster when fate intervened and drafted him (along with a number of his classmates) into the German army. Amidst the turmoil of war, he discovered his passion for storytelling and began writing fiction.

After six months of military training, his unit was sent to the Western Front. The horrors of World War (1914-1918) cast a long shadow on Remarque’s writing, shaping him into the author he would become. He found himself thrust into the trenches of Flanders. Belgium and experienced the brutal reality of trench warfare firsthand. In 1917, he was injured by the fierce barrage of British artillery, and a year later was sent back to the front lines, post-recovery. It was during his recovery that Remarque thought of writing a novel about the war. He gathered material for his book from personal stories sent by his friends from the battlefield and also interviewed wounded soldiers, to come up with authentic scenes for his story. Shortly thereafter a revolution led to the overthrow of Germany’s imperial government and the establishment of a republic. On November 11, 1918, the newly- formed government signed a formal agreement with the Allies, effectively bringing an end to the fighting. These wartime events, coupled with the loss of some of his comrades, left a profound impact on Remarque, inspiring him to pen his most influential novel, ‘Im Westen Nichts Neues’. Published in Germany in 1929, Remarque’s literary masterpiece sold over 1.2 million copies within a year, solidifying his place as one of Germany’s most celebrated writers. The English translation of this novel, ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ was published in the same year and garnered similar success. It went on to be translated into more than 20 languages and was made into a celebrated Hollywood film in 1930.

What makes it a classic?

The horrors of war

The novel describes the physical and emotional toll that war tikes on soldiers, and highlights the senseless violence and destruction that war creates. It is the author’s attempt to highlight and document how despite dodging death in the trenches and making it back home, a soldier’s soul is irreversibly crushed by what he witnessed at the war front.

Today, as conflicts (like the Russian invasion of Ukraine) continue to occur around the world the novel serves as a reminder of the human cost of war and the need for peaceful solutions to conflicts.

Dehumanisation of soldiers

The soldiers in the novel are forced to abandon their individuality and become part of a machine-like military system. This is still relevant today, as soldiers continue to face the challenge of maintaining their own identity in the face of military discipline. One of the most striking aspects of the novel is the way it depicts the soldiers as being treated as expendable objects, rather than human beings with lives, families, and aspirations.

They are constantly reminded of their duty to the state and the importance of sacrifice. The book describes how the trauma and the unspeakable acts of violence soldiers witness on the battlefield transform them into brute tools of war, devoid of humanity.

Disillusionment

The novel also explores the theme of disillusionment. As the war drags on, Paul and his comrades become increasingly disillusioned with the ideals of patriotism and duty that drove them to enlist in the first place. They realise that they have been fed lies and propaganda to justify a war that has only brought them suffering and death. The novel also portrays the difficulty of these soldiers in returning to civilian life after the war, as Paul struggles to reconnect with a society that does not understand or appreciate the sacrifices he and his fellow soldiers made.

In this way, this German classic highlights the devastating effects of war on both the individual and society as a whole and serves as a powerful critique of the glorification of war and how it is justified as nationalism.

Picture Credit : Google 

Who wrote the book The Story of Doctor Dolittle?

British-American author Hugh Lofting crafted the fictional account chronicling the peculiar life and astonishing adventures of Dr Dolittle with the intention to entertain his children. Little did he know that these narratives will immortalise him in literary history. Let us revisit ‘The Story of Doctor Dolittle’ and see what makes it a classic.

About the author

Hugh John Lofting was one of six children born to Elizabeth Agnes and John Brien Lofting on January 14, 1886, in Maidenhead, Berkshire, England. His love for animals and storytelling was evident from a very young age. As a child, he loved concocting stories for his family and is said to have used his mother's linen cupboard to store his miniature zoo and wildlife museum. He attended Jesuit boarding school before he went on to study civil engineering and architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and London Polytechnic. As a civil engineer, he was constantly travelling to new places. His job took him to Canada, Africa, and the West Indies, before he returned to America in 1912, married Flora Small, and settled in New York City to begin a writing career.

A coping mechanism

In 1916, Lofting enlisted to fight for England in World War I. Instead of destressing his family with the gory details of what he witnessed on the battlefields, Lofting chose to write imaginative letters (complete with illustrations) detailing the astonishing adventures of Doctor Dolittle to entertain his children. Researchers speculate that gifting the character of Dolittle a special ability to communicate with animals was Lofting's coping mechanism to deal with the animal cruelty he witnessed in the trenches.

At the 1967 premiere of the story's big screen adaptation, Christopher Lofting (the youngest son of the author) said, "There were thousands of cavalry horses in the war, and also farm animals and pets who got caught in the crossfire. My father invented Dolittle… as a superhero who could do things he could not do."

The first book in the Doctor Dolittle series, titled ‘The Story of Doctor Dolittle’ was published in 1920, three years after Lofting was wounded and invalided out of the war.

The Story of Doctor Dolittle

The book follows John Dolittle, a reputed English country doctor who lives in a little town called Puddleby-on-the-Marsh He transitions from human medicine to veterinary practice after he is taught how to communicate with animals by his parrot. Polynesia, Risking a stable income and losing most of his patients do not dissuade him from going to Africa to cure a monkey epidemic. This book chronicles the peculiar life of Doctor Dolittle and his misadventures with a crew of animals that he befriends.

What makes it a classic?

The importance of communication

Through the interactions between Doctor Dolittle and his animal friends, the story highlights how important effective communication is in resolving day-to-day problems and conflicts. The unique personalities and perspectives of the diverse cast of animal characters in the story emphasise the importance of keeping an open mind and valuing other individuals' opinions.

 Empathy and compassion

The compelling narrative of this book promotes animal welfare, teaches empathy, and encourages us to think about the importance of treating all living beings with respect and kindness. It also presents an opportunity to address the treatment of animals and the need for their conservation, an idea which is all the more important because of the climate crisis at hand.

Picture Credit : Google 

What is the story of Pandora’s box? What is the most important message of Pandora’s box?

Is curiosity a blessing or a curse? The paradoxical nature of this trait is personified in Greek mythology by the tale of Pandora, the woman whose blazing curiosity set a chain of Earth-shattering events.

The birth of Pandora

Pandora was breathed to life by the God of fire. Hephestus, who called for gifts from his divine companions to make his creation extraordinary.

The pantheon of Gods blessed her with her name, a capacity for deep emotion, and creativity. Finally, when Zeus’s turn came, he blessed the mortal with not one but two gifts.

First was the trait of curiosity and the second was a heavy sealed box which came with a warning that she must never open it under any circumstances. Pandora’s life on Earth brimmed with excitement, but her thirst for knowledge often made her wonder about the contents of the sealed box. Her wandering mind was often plagued by the question: What treasure was so great that it could never be seen by mortals? And why was it in her care?

Mystery of the box

The mystery of the box was madding to the point that she was convinced that she heard the contents rattling around inside, trying to get free.

One day she could bear it no longer. As she opened the lid, monstrous screeching creatures were let loose. Turns out Zeus had used the box as a vessel to imprison every calamity and evil being that was ever created.

Crippling anxiety took hold of her as she helplessly tried to direct these creatures back into the box. All seemed lost until a warm beam of light arose from the vessel and a tiny butterfly fluttered away easing Pandora’s mind. This beautiful creature was hope. Ever since then humans have been able to hold on to hope in order to thrive in the darkest hours and to endure and overcome the hardships in life.

In modern times…

The term Pandora’s box refers to the extreme consequences of tampering with the unknown.

Picture Credit : Google 

Monarchy & Shakespeare

Royal patronage bestowed upon Shakespeare’s Globe theatre the prestige, and popularity it required to reach a wider audience. This is the reason why literary critics believe that Macbeth which is easily one of the greatest plays written by the bard was skillfully designed to flatter the reigning monarch King James I.

King James I succeeded Queen Elizabeth I as the royal head of the nation following the latters death in 1603. Known for his love for art and generosity towards actors, playwrights and other performers of the day, within ten days of ascending to the throne he offered his patronage to Shakespeare’s acting troupe, which the bard graciously accepted. Overjoyed by the sanction of the royal patent, the legendary playwright changed the name of his troupe to The King’s men, in honour of the reigning monarch.

The role of a patron

A patron was usually a wealthy aristocrat or royal court official who would fund the playwright’s or artist’s work and livelihoods. Acting companies based in London at the time would also require their patrons to get them a licence to perform and this was the reason why many such companies would then be named after their benefactors.

Macbeth

Royal patronage bestowed upon Shakespeare’s Globe theatre the prestige, and popularity it required to reach a wider audience. These favours are the reason why literary critics believe that Macbeth which is easily one of the greatest plays written by the bard around 1606 (his first play under his new patron) and set in King James I’s native land of Scotland, was skilfully designed to flatter the king. It also featured like treason, revolt and downfall of the monarch’s murderers – legitimising the divine right of kings as dictated by the European Christianity of the time.

Shakespeare’s history plays

Ten plays that are referred to as Shakespeare’s history plays cover English history from the 12th to 16th Century and each of these is named after and revolves around, the reigning monarch of the period. These political plays were seen as patriotic exercises that celebrated past greatness and sympathised with the suffering of the bygone days. In An Apology for Actors (1612), Shakespeare’s contemporary Thomas Heywood wrote, that history plays are written with the aim to teach their subject obedience to their king. Some examples of these plays include Richard II, Hendry V, and Richard III. Although critics are still divided about whether or not the bard’s chronicle plays were merely tools of propaganda, one cannot deny the huge impact the works of this legendary wordsmith have had on our collective understanding of these historic figures.

Picture Credit : Google  

Carving a legacy

Since it was first written in the early 1880s, Italian author Carlo Collodi’s The Adventures of Pinocchio has remained one of the most universally recognisable works of Italian literature. Let’s look at what has made this classic endure the test of time.

Between the Covers is a weekly column that introduces young readers to the world of literary classics. It focusses on one celebrated book each week and finds out what makes.

About the Author

Carlo Lorenzini was born November 24, 1826, in Florence, Tuscany. Both of his parents worked for the marchese (Italian nobleman) Ginori Lisci His mother Angiolina Orzali Lorenzini was a seamstress and his father Domenico Lorenzini was a cook. Carlo was the eldest of his 10 siblings and spent most of his childhood with his maternal grandmother in Collodi. At the age of 30, the Italian author and journalist adopted the pseudonym Carlo Collodi, after his beloved mothers hometown near Pistoia in Tuscany.

Today he is best known as the creative mind behind The Adventures of Pinocchio, a classic tale of a marionette child brought to life. This puppet is known for his long nose, which (only) on one occasion in the novel although more frequently in other adaptations) grows when he lies.

Pinocchio’s story was first published in 1881 in a serialised format in Giornale Dei Bambini (Italian for children’s magazine) before it was published as a novel in 1883. Collodi’s masterpiece is held as one of Italy’s literary national treasures and is credited with being one of the most iconic works of children’s literature of all time, inspiring plays, movies, and hundreds of new editions making the titular puppet one of the most reprinted characters in the pantheon of children’s literature. With its slapstick humour and instructive themes, The Adventures of Pinocchio was a turning point in Italian literature and commented on the pathetic conditions of the lower working class at the time, through the character of Geppetto. However, Disney’s 1940 adaptation of the Italian classic, critics say, censors, sugar coats, and trivialises Collodi’s original tale to present a very Americanised and domesticated version of Pinocchio’s story as “a paean to impossibly idealised childhood”.

Once upon a time…

A marionette called Pinocchio comes to life because it was carved out of a piece of enchanted wood by a carpenter named Geppetto. The life-affirming story chronicles the adventures of the titular character and elaborates how our hero rises above different kinds of temptations (such as leading a life of leisure in the land of toys) to become human.

What makes it a classic?

Transformation

This story shows how things can very quickly go from bad to worse, but also from terrible to wonderful through acts of kindness and how sometimes this much-needed kindness can come from strangers. In the story, we witness how Pinocchio (like most kids) suffers and learns from the compulsive habit or the insatiable need to do something he had been told not to do over and over again. The protagonists’ behaviour and inspiring journey from ignorance to knowledge is very relatable and helps us as readers redefine how we perceive the pitfalls of life.

The lure of temptations

The story has an eerie quality and a folklore-like nature. The authors use of the ideas of rebirth, ghosts, and fairies along with manipulative characters such as the fox, the cat, and the giant serpent demonstrates the power of temptations. Crafting a children’s story while talking about the base reality of existence through complex themes such as poverty, the difference between good and evil, child abuse, and the role of one’s conscience, Collodi emphasises how the difference between adult and children’s literature was quite an alien idea in Italian literary tradition at the time.

What is it to be human?

Pinocchio’s story brilliantly exemplifies the multiplicity of meaning in the written word as it tries to answer the intriguing question: What is it to be human?

Through this straightforward narrative, which is deceptively simple but truly complex, Collodi seems to suggest that being human is to expose oneself to the good, bad, and ugly realities of the world and gain wisdom through experience. Pinocchio becomes human when he is able to think freely and also weigh the consequences of his actions.

The relationship with the conscience

Clinical psychologist Dr. Jordan B Peterson says that the learning relationship that Pinocchio shares with the cricket (which stands in as a personification of the puppet’s conscience) demystifies the widely accepted idea of an omniscient or all-knowing conscience that can guide one to redemption, to suggest that in life, you and your conscience mature together through critically thinking and learning from the ebb and flow of life. This kind of growth is an indispensable part of our journey on this planet.

Picture Credit : Google 

The short life of a prolific storyteller

Guy de Maupassant is known for depicting human life, emotions and social forces and creating drama out of it. His birth anniversary was observed on August 5. Mathilde was born into a family of clerks. She largely despised her social setting, unable to enjoy all the luxuries of life. She dreamt of dainty dinners, shining silverware, gowns and jewels. Then one night, Mathilde gets an invitation to go to a party with her husband. She borrows a diamond necklace from her friend. But Mathilde loses it at the party. Instead of telling the truth, the duo replaces the necklace by buying a diamond necklace and end up working the rest of the years to pay for it, living a miserable life. You can always see a Mathilde if you look around, one who aspires to live above their station and later pays the price for it. Mathilde is a character in the short story “The Necklace” by Guy De Maupassant. But the story doesn’t end there.

The greatest reveal comes towards the end when Maupassant unveils with a flourish that the necklace is a fake. The friend tells Mathilde that it was paste jewellery and not real diamonds that she lost.

The short story is known for its twist ending and the irony of life. “The Necklace” is just one among the 300 short stories written by Maupassant. A master storyteller, Maupassant is considered the father of short story writing.

Maupassant is known for weaving narratives around human life, emotions and social forces and creating drama out of it. The life of the lower and middle classes figure as one of the central themes of his stories.

Maupassant studied law in Paris. The Franco-Prussian War broke out in 1870 while he was studying law and he enlisted himself in the army. This military experience would later on become fodder for many of his literary works. Some of his stories are set during the Franco-Prussian War and the narratives delve into the futility of war.

Maupassant underwent an informal apprenticeship under French novelist Gustave Flaubert which left a great influence on his literary career.

His stories were crafted in the naturalist style, meaning they are more realistic. With prose that is devoid of any frills, his writings are simple. His stories always delve into the many emotions of the human mind such as greed, ambition and desire. Apart from short stories, he wrote novels and travel books.

It was his short story ‘Boule de Suif (Ball of Fat) that first gained him attention.

Some of his famous short stories are the The Necklace’, The Horla’, The False Gems’, and ‘Useless Beauty’. He also worked in newspapers where his short stories were published. His works are said to have influenced writers such as O Henry, William Somerset Maugham, Anton Chekhov and so on.

Maupassant is regarded as one of the greatest storytellers the literary world has ever seen. Sadly, he died at the young age of 42.

Picture Credit : Google