Comparative Essay: “all Quiet on the Western Front” and “born on the Fourth of July”

History has shown how joining a war has tremendous effects on a man’s life even after his service. In the film “Born on The Fourth of July” Ron Kovic was a patriotic young american man who always wanted to join the Marines. In contrast, in the novel “All Quiet on the Western Front” by Erich Remarque, Paul Baümer was a German young man who was persuaded to join the army by his high school schoolmaster. Both characters experienced the horrors of fighting in a war and the various effects of war on a man. Paul Baumer and Ron Kovic can be compared by their attitude towards war, their experiences of war, and the way war affected them.

Baumer and Kovic had different attitudes towards fighting in a war. Kovic always dreamt of being in the Marines and fighting for his country. He enlisted as soon as he got out of high school. Similarly, Baumer enlisted into the german army out of high school and supported the war. Although, Baumer was highly pressured by his schoolmaster, Kantorek, and fell into the idealism of war. Kantorek told Baumer and his classmates they were the “Iron Youth” (All Quiet on The Western Front Pg 18), that joining the army was their duty, and it was an honour. As Baumer participated in war he slowly changed his view on war. He discovered the massive destruction and death of war, he realized he was pressured by Kantorek, and he is the reason why he and his friends were fighting in constant danger. Baumer and Kovic fought for different wars and countries. Baumer served for Germany in WWI, while Kovic served as a US Marines in the Vietnam war. Kovic trusted in what his government said and believed communism in Vietnam had to be stopped. Whereas Baumer did not think fighting a war was necessary. He believed there was not a legitimate reason for war, but the kaiser only declared war because he thought it was necessary for him to participate in one. After both Kovic and Baumer fully experienced war, they ended up being against it. They realized how terrible war was and how it affected a man. Baumer realized this after going through hunger, injury, and mental distress. In comparison, Kovic struggled after becoming paralyzed and dealing with accidently killing a comrade. He realized how war was wrong after experiencing the negative effects it had. Both men's attitudes towards war changed after experiencing war first hand. They realized the devastation and hardships it causes to everyone.

Paul Baumer and Ron Kovic both spent substantial time fighting in war. Each experienced the countless struggles of participating in a war, and felt the apprehension and suspension of being in a war. Although, their experiences differed from each other in several ways. Kovic had a rough time during his service in vietnam. He had none of his friends alongside with him and was devastated at the site of death due to war. In contrast, Baumer’s time serving was in some ways pleasant for him. He had many

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