How far do the literary works of the First World War show a desire for normality when the war has put into question the ‘civilised ideals’?
‘Normality,’ for many First World War veterans, was only found after the war. Immediately after the publication All Quiet on the Western Front & A Farewell to Arms, many readers of the books defended the genre, stating these novels were a ‘Erlosung’ (or release) from the traumas caused by war. It is possible to say that this literature, which is based on the Great War, can help veterans achieve a normal life and resolve “tangled memories, emotions, and thoughts” (Barker 1980, p.48). Paul’s statement in All Quiet on The Western Front is the most remarkable. We don’t wish to make the world ablaze. We’re running from ourselves and our lives. “We were 18 and loved life and the whole world. And we had it torn to pieces.” The young men seem to be feeling the effects of war, as it has not been the adventure they had hoped for. They want to go back to normal life, as men transition to become young adults.
A Farewell to Arms also uses this idea. Frederic can begin to see, as their relationship grows, that he has grown up and is ready to start a new life. He goes to great lengths to accomplish this. He refuses surgery to remain injured so he doesn’t have go back to battle.
Frederic’s war against alcohol is an interesting one. Frederic drinks as an escapism. It could be that the alcohol brings him back to his childhood while masking his trauma. Paul and Kat also go on a hunt for a more delicious meal and find horse-flesh. They cook it and eat it. In the same way, Paul and Kat go hunting for a better meal. They arrive with horse-flesh which they cook and eat.
Both novels explore this, especially with regard to the act of murder. Frederic kills the Sergeant for refusing to help him move the ambulance from the mud. Frederic’s lack of remorse for killing the Sergeant, who was fighting on the same side as him, is proof that the ‘civilised values’ are being lost by those in war. Paul, however, kills an English soldier in self defense, but only realises his mistake after realising what he had done (Remarque 29: p. 105). Paul may have been changed forever by the war, but his humanity is not lost. He still acts as if he were just a person in the street, refusing to think of the soldier as the enemy. Paul’s ‘civilisation’ is triggered by the realization that the dying soldier had a family.
Frederic’s relationship with Catherine also has a strong natural tendency to move towards the norm. Frederic’s unwillingness to have a serious relationship with Catherine is most notable, because he says he “treated Catherine very lightly”. He begins to feel “lonely and hollow” on days when he cannot see Catherine. Frederic’s withdrawal symptoms reveal that he was longing for normalcy in a war otherwise uncivilised.
Paul’s visit home during his leave illustrates the personal toll that war has taken on him. He feels disconnected right from the beginning, and he realizes that this is “a foreign world.” The situation was very different last year. “I am the one who has changed.” (ibid). Paul’s view of “normality”, which used to be the comfortable home environment, has now changed. He is more concerned with the violence that he faces on the front line.
Paul clearly mistook the return of his family to be one similar to that which existed before World War II. Barker says that Baumer’s generation is trying to return to normality despite the fact that the impossible task is clear right from the beginning. (1979, p.57). This is certainly true. However, the “impossibility the task” may not be as apparent to young men. Paul would have never returned if he knew his return would be difficult. Paul realizes that, at the end of his trip, “It’ll be the same, if I’m lucky, when I return here permanently and the war is done.” I’ll sit in this position and stare at my bedroom and wait.” He is aware of his wartime experiences and perhaps more so at this time, he is also more aware that normalcy is unlikely.
Paul is still able to bring some home cooking with him. He offers Kat and Kropp potato-cakes with jam made by his mother. Kat’s reactions are interesting. He can immediately tell that Paul’s mum made these and says “I know by the taste.” The soldiers’ return to normality is enhanced by the taste of home cooked food. Kat may be used to a lower quality of food and therefore can compare the two.
Catherine is a character in Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms who may also be searching for normality. She was deeply affected by the Great War’s outcome, despite her secondary role. She moved to Italy for solidarity after the Battle of the Somme when her fiance was killed. She returned to her nursing role and found very little support in the war. She told Frederic when she found out about her fiancee’s death that she would cut her hair because she “wanted something to do for him.” She fights to maintain normality in her relationship, and she believes that she will achieve it by fleeing the war. The pair, who met in Stresa, flees to Switzerland and lives together, “exists exclusively for and in their love” (Donaldson, 1990, p.97).
Frederic and Catherine have found normality, but a review of their lives could show that it was not fully rewarded. Hovey says that, “They are not only cut off from all their friends and family but also have left the Great War.” It is not normal, even though their lives have been civilised. The escapism is very similar to Victor Frankenstein’s escape to the Alps for a more normal life. After giving his creation life, he also found isolation. Hovey, too, believes that Frederic, Catherine and their children have no idea what they are doing, or why. They don’t even consider going back to the real world. They do not try to understand, learn or grow.” Hovey’s theory can be applied not only to Hovey, but also to the society during the First World War. Both civilians and soldiers were primarily concerned with survival, and placed little importance on ‘understanding’ and ‘growing’.
Both novels show a desire to find normality. Kat and Paul are still interested in women, even though Frederic’s relationship with Catherine grows stronger. This is despite the fact that this war is a predominantly male one. Paul’s men make a river trip in order to meet French ladies. This is normal, and it shows soldiers in their truest state. The men in Paul’s company are not only an important part of World War I, but they remain true to who they are as people.
Paul’s struggle for survival and normality in the war is ended by the discovery of his death at the end. The unidentified narration insists “he couldn’t have suffered for long. His face had a calm expression, almost as if he was glad that the war had ended.” (Remarkque, 1929, p.140). Paul’s calmness as he died may reveal a lot about the character. One could argue that Paul had nothing left to live for. The war had affected him so much that normality wasn’t even in his grasp. Paul dying in this state would make sense, as though relieved to have his torture over. He is finally reunited with peace through death.
A Farewell to Arms’s ending, with the death of Catherine and her baby, is significant in the quest for normality. Frederic thought that ‘normality’ meant living in peace with his child and wife after the Great War. The fact that his peaceful ending was taken away may reflect that normality after the war is not something that can be easily achieved. Frederic was able to escape the war but he couldn’t escape his normal life. Frederic finds himself alone and with nothing at the abrupt end of the novel. He mirrors war deaths by letting her die: “Now Catherine will die.” You did it. You died. You were not aware of the meaning. You didn’t have time to get educated. You were thrown in and given the rules. When they caught off base for the first, they would kill you” (Hemingway, 2014, p.279). Frederic can’t escape the war even when Catherine dies. He has to look back at the past and reflect on how things were.
The theme of’searching for normality in literature from the First World War’ is very prominent. In most cases, characters are trying to escape a violent environment. Army personnel appear to be the worst affected by what is a world that can be described as unnatural. They are often seen looking for normal elements in their lives through food, social services and even purposeful injuries and hospital care.
Normality does not return even after the war. Frederic, who lives an open life, will never return the way it was before the War. This issue was often discussed by war survivors. Remarque stated, “The shadows of war were always with us, particularly when we tried hard to ignore them.” (Barker, 1979, p.33)
