Paper Example on Journey of Character Growth: Paul & Willie in Barry & Remarque Novels

The journey of the protagonists, as discussed in the two novels A Long Long Way written by Sebastian Barry and All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque, reflects character growth. The two protagonists, Paul Baumer in the novel All Quiet on the Western Front and Willie Dunne in A Long Long Way, have faced various experiences throughout the book, leading to the development of their character. The two characters played a critical role in the book and greatly influenced the storyline.

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Paul Baumer is a soldier who narrates the hardships he faces as a member of the German army in an effort to fight against the central powers. As the protagonist and the narrator of the book, Paul is the mouthpiece of the author's concern about warfare. His inner personality has changed, making him different from the person he was before the war. The war made Paul feel and behave differently, and this is attributed to how any fight leaves people mentally, socially, and physically disturbed. Paul Baumer together with his friends were very enthusiastic about going to fight, but after they saw the results of the warfare, there was a change in their perception and experience (Remarque E.M, 2004, p.68). The main reason for the change is because, just like any other war, there were many casualties and fatalities. Paul encountered the ideals of pain, death, and suffering in this battle. Since Paul Baumer joined the army to fight in the war, the novel describes him as a soldier with a mindset that is more developed compared to the other soldiers. On page 12 of the book, Paul is commenting on the values they were taught as soldiers. The most significant thing is duty and service to the country.

Under the heavy training by Corporal Himmelstoss, Paul is seen to be "defiant," which is the reason why the commander did not like him. I believe the reason for this is the change in life where Paul is introduced to soldier life. Imagine being a soldier and you have to hide in smelly, muddy and wet trenches so that you can survive and the only available option to communicate with your loved ones is through a letter which, he had no idea whether it was received. Carrying heavy weapons and having to bear with the heat from the explosives such as the grenades is not an easy task, and it requires passion, commitment, and sacrifice. To survive and preserve his mental health, Paul learns to detach his mind from his emotions and make rational decisions. This is a journey that reflects character development because for sure, it is the only way to deal with the war horrors and anxiety.

Though Paul disconnects from his feelings, unlike other soldiers, he is highly sensitive, and this is the reason why he is still not a "human-animal." There are various instances in the novel where Paul is seen expressing emotions. This is seen when he spends time with his mother when she was sick and also prayed for her. He also explains how it was hard for him to part ways with his friend Albert Kropp but also acknowledges the reality of life and the sacrifices made before joining a military school. Paul is seen to be visionary because of his ability to communicate the injustices of the war. At the end of the novel before Paul dies after he had already realized the war had robbed him of his future. His character journey reflects character development.

The main protagonist in the novel A Long Long Way, Willie Dunne, joined the army to make a point to his father and himself that he can do more than an eighteen-year-old teenager can do. The novel develops his character through the use of similes, whose effect is to emphasize the brutality of the war and the delicacy of life (Barry, 2005). Willie's father is disappointed by his height, but it is at this time that Willie meets Gretta and the two become lovers. He leaves his family and decides to join the war. Later, he reflects on the death of his friends, the battles, and all the attacks he has experienced. This incident caused post-traumatic disorder to the point that Willie would struggle inside him on when to speak or remain quiet.

Gretta had made a demand for Willie to return to Ireland in a bid to influence him and agree to marry her. The promises and thoughts of Gretta are what motivates Willie to face the struggles of military service. Throughout the book, the reader understands the battles Willie Dunne is going through (Haas A, 2019, p. 60). He is fighting his conscience and struggling to survive in British warfare as an Irishman. The novel is very emotional with Willie as the protagonist portraying him as an innocent, authentic young individual with a vision to be incredible. This has reflected character development.

My position of the protagonists' journey reflecting character growth is supported by both primary sources, which is the novels and articles as the secondary sources. Without a doubt, as you can see, the role played by the two characters continued to develop all through the books. There is a sense in which these two characters were the pillars of the story development and flow. Without these characters, the story would not have been narrated or written.

Bibliography

Remarque, E.M., 2004. All quiet on the western front (Vol. 68). Bloomsbury Publishing, USA. http://dannyreviews.com/h/All_Quiet.html

Barry, S. (2005). A Long Long Way. New York: Faber and Faber.

Haas, A. (2019). Two 1916s: Sebastian Barry's A Long Long Way. Humanities, 8(1), 60. https://doi.org/10.3390/h8010060