yr11_weimar_remarque

=//All Quiet on the Western Front// by Erich Maria Remarque=

You walk up to the display of //All Quiet on the Western Front// by Erich Maria Remarque, a German veteran of World War I.

//All Quiet on the Western Front// is an anti-war novel, portraing the extreme pysical and mental stress experienced by soldiers during World War One, whilst also exploring the detachment from civilian life felt by many soldiers returning home from the front. The novel tells the story of Paul Bäumer, a soldier who joins the Army shortly aftr the start of World War I. Bäumer is deployed to the western front where he experiences and witnesses the horror of the western front alongside his friends and fellow soldiers. The novel also attempts to explore the feelings of anguish and post-traumatic that many faced upon their return from battle. The book was banned upon its release in both France and Germany, indicating that the story is open to interpretation on both sides; the Nazi government believed that it portrayed Germany in a bad light, whilst the French believed that Germany was portrayed in too good a light. A sequel to the book, //'The Road Back'// was published in April 1931; it too was banned during Nazi rule. The book sold 2.5 million copies in twenty-five different language over an eighteen month period. The book has been adapted as both a film, theatre production, feature length radio production and TV film. The novel achieved worldwide acclaim upon its release.

As you study the display, you notice that Erich Maria Remarque is standing close by, so you decide to walk up to him.
 * You**: Mister Remarque, can I have a word?
 * Remarque**: Why of course, why else would I be here?
 * You**: I would just like to congratulate you for writing such a beautiful novel. I'd like to ask how you, even from a young age, knew that you were going to become a writer?
 * Remarque**: Well, I was born on June 14th 1867, and I was writing at a very young age, so I guess that it must have started in my teenage years.
 * You**: Oh, ok. May I ask what you wrote?
 * Remarque**: The usual. I started with poems and essays, and published my first ever novel, entitled, '//The Dream Room'// in 1920, following my return from the Western Front.
 * You**: So, Mister Remarque, did you achieve your goals immediately? Or was there a prolonged period in which you were unable to make progress of any sorts?
 * Remarque**: Spot on lad! Before I became a successful writer, I endured year upon year of tedium in my old jobs before amounting to anything. My first writing profession was working for a sports magazine called 'Sportbild'. My other professions included short stints as librarian, businessman, teacher, journalist and editor. Writing was central to these professions, but being an Author was my calling.
 * You**: Now, to the interesting topic. What gave you the idea to write about warfare, and at such a young age through such a young and vulnerable set of eyes?
 * Remarque**: I was conscripted into the Army in 1917 when I was 18 and was then transferred to the western front. Sadly, I was wounded by shrapnel and was repatriated back to a military hospital where I spent the rest of the war. When I wrote the book, I just wanted to show the German public what the war was really like and then, hopefully, they would make their own judgements on it.
 * You**: So your novel, written in 1927, published in 1929,'//All Quiet On the Western Front'// has now sold 1.2 million copies! I've heard talk that a film will be produced, do you want to comment on that?
 * Remarque**: Oh, I'd be happy to. Yes there's a film on its way. I just so happen to have the trailer in my pocket! would you like to see it?

//Remarque pulls a giant film reel out of his pocket, and feeds the film into a projector.//

Go back to the library Go South to the Symphony Hall Go West to the Cinema
 * media type="youtube" key="aiObc2XmVqw?fs=1" height="385" width="480" || **You**: Wow! That looks like an amazing production, I might just go see it. But back to the book. Is there any chance of a sequel? I've read the first book and I want to know what happens to the characters!
 * Remarque**: Calm yourself boy! I am thinking about a sequel, The working title is //'Way Back'// . It reveals the fate of the hero whilst exposing the collapse of Germany, but I'm split between whether I should leave it at one book.
 * You**: Fair enough Mister Remarque. Can I talk about your name? I've seen it written as Remark sometimes, what is the significance of it?
 * Remarque**: Remarque is my original name, but my grandfather was paranoid that we would be persecuted, and changed it to Remark. I've recently changed it back as I want my REAL name to praised.
 * You**: I understand your pride Erich, but I just hope you don't get in trouble for your 'French Inheritance'. It was lovely talking to such a well-educated and polite man. I bid you good day.
 * Remarque**: Oh, it was my pleasure. ||