Answer:
The reality of war was in stark contrast to the previous beliefs and attitudes Europeans had.
Explanation:
Pre-war Europe included many nations that celebrated their military. To fight was to be honorable and glorious. However, in the Great War, warfare was much more gruesome than previously. The introduction of gas attacks, trench warfare, and other technological/military "improvements" caused lives to be needlessly lost for little to nothing in advancements. During and after the war, people began to realize that it wasn't worth it and the youth suffered terribly.
1.Because I fear that this burden is upon my back will sink me lower than the grave.
In this statement, he emphasize the fact that the burden he carries is so strong and wrong before the eyes of God that he prefers the punishment as an exit for his consciousness and his soul.
2.The thoughts of these things make me cry.
In the second statement, he concludes that not getting any kind of penitence makes him cry because of the big guilt that he feels and the fear that he has for God.
