War Quote by Erich Maria Remarque
““I glance at my boots. They are big and clumsy, the breeches are tucked into them, and standing up one looks well-built and powerful in those great drainpipes. But when we go bathing and strip, suddenly we have slender legs again and slight shoulders. We are no longer soldiers but little more than boys; no one would believe that we could carry packs. It is a strange moment when we stand naked; then we become civilians, and almost feel ourselves to be so. When bathing Franz Kemmerich looked as slight and frail as a child. There he lies now -- buy why? The whole world ought to pass by this bed and say: "That is Franz Kemmerich, nineteen and a half years old, he doesn't want to die. Let him not die!””
About This Quote
The contrast between a soldier’s imposing uniform and his vulnerable nakedness reveals how war strips away identity, exposing the universal fragility of human life.
In simple terms: Uniform hides, nakedness reveals human fragility.
Key Takeaway
War exposes the illusion of strength.
Themes
war
identity
humanity
vulnerability
mortality
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
literary
historical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- veterans returning home
- students studying WWI literature
- medical staff confronting patient mortality
Key Concepts
existentialism
dehumanization
Practical Applications
- Use storytelling to humanize soldiers
- Provide counseling that addresses identity loss
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the uniform symbolize beyond power?
- How can societies honor the humanity of those who serve?
A Different Perspective
The passage may romanticize suffering, overlooking systemic causes of war.
