Autumn Quote by Erich Maria Remarque
““I look out of the window; – beyond the picture of the sunlit street appears a range of hills, distant and light; it changes to a clear day in autumn, and I sit by the fire with Kat and Albert and eat potatoes baked in their skins. But I do not want to think of that, I sweep it away. The room shall speak, it must catch me up and hold me, I want to feel that I belong here, I want to hearken and know when I go back to the front that the war will sink down, be drowned utterly in the great home-coming tide, know that it will then be past for ever, and not gnaw us continually, that it will have none but an outward power over us.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: All Quiet on the Western Front, 1929
He struggles with intrusive thoughts of war, seeking belonging and peace while confronting the lingering impact of conflict.
In simple terms: War haunts his mind; he craves belonging and peace.
Key Takeaway
Seek peace and connection amid inner turmoil.
Themes
war trauma
belonging
inner conflict
Mood
somber
hopeful
Type
literary
psychological
When to use this quote
- therapy
- support groups
- mindfulness
- creative expression
- community building
Key Concepts
psychology
existentialism
memory
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you find grounding during intrusive memories?
- What gives you a sense of belonging?
A Different Perspective
Trauma may resist easy resolution.
