In Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front, the protagonist Paul Baumer seems to inject an important question into the text: Is there value to a romantic perspective on war or should people be realistic about the horror and details of war? Well, Paul himself seems to keep a realistic point of view, but he does encounter many older men when he returns home who want to know about the excitement, spirit, and patriotism of the 1st World War. This clash made me think; in our modern world, I believe people have a more realistic view due to films and literature that have come out highlighting why war is terrible such as The Hurt Locker and Saving Private Ryan. But also, video games such as the Call of Duty franchise promote the romanticism of war due to their continuos stream of violence and shooting. Young kids play these games and become disillusioned by what it means to shoot someone. I believe the romantic view is beneficial for storytelling but unrealistic in our informed, modern society.
Interesting, Aashay. I do think it's important to note, as you have, the contradiction that seems to exist in our society about war. Nearly simultaneously, we share and consume heroic war dramas and searingly realistic accounts. What do you think the Romantic view brings to the table? What is the value or purpose of a Romantic point of view in our modern, skeptical, realism-heavy culture? After all, we wouldn't have these games or movies that you mentioned unless there were a demand for them. I guess what I'm asking is, why does there continue to be a demand or appetite for the Romantic version of war life when we know as much as we do about the reality of it?
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