Question

World war i was known as a "total war" because it involved the efforts of many civilians in addition to the military. today, however, warfare can be drastically different. how would all quiet on the western front be different if it were told from the perspective of a modern- day american soldier during, say, the war on terror in afghanistan? what events would be different? what ideas and issues might change?

Answer 1

If the story of "All Quiet on the Western Front" was told today, the story would be much different, especially if it was told from the viewpoint of an American soldier involved in the War on Terror. First, the protagonist would not be coming from a nation that is in a state of total war.  The War on Terror is a limited war and does not require the undivided focus of the American government, industry, and economy.  A soldier, today, would likely be volunteering to join the military, instead of being all but forced to like the characters in "All Quiet on the Western Front."  Second, the total detachment the soldiers in "All Quiet on the Western Front" feel from their civilian lives would not be as pronounced, given how today's soldiers are able to communicate with their friends and family back home by way of email, online chat, and quicker postal service.  Thirdly, today's American soldiers are provided with far better and more extensive military training than the soldiers in "All Quiet on the Western Front" are, hence they would be more prepared for the combat experiences they must endure.