The Dual Nature of Humanity in War

Beyond battlefield casualties, World War I fundamentally altered humanity's philosophical outlook.As the first technologically advanced war, the advent of tanks, poison gas, and machine guns led to unprecedented carnage, leaving an entire generation of men scarred by its horrors. The conclusion of the war spurred thinkers like Sigmund Freud to delve deeper into the psyche, proposing that the atrocities were rooted in humanity's innate destructive impulses. In his work "Civilization and Its Discontents," Freud argues that humans possess instinctive desires for aggression and self-preservation, viewing these traits as evolutionary byproducts.

However, this interpretation is not unchallenged. Through the literary lens of Wilfred Owen's "Dulce et Decorum Est" and Erich Maria Remarque's "All Quiet on the Western Front," we gain a nuanced understanding of the psychological impact of war, offering insights that both align with and contest Freud's theories. This essay explores these complex dynamics, contrasting Freud's philosophical stance with the lived experiences captured in these literary works.

Wilfred Owen

Wilfred Owen's "Dulce et Decorum Est" provides a visceral account of the battlefield's relentless brutality. Written as a poignant letter to his mother, the poem captures the terrifying chaos of a gas attack. Owen paints a haunting picture of soldiers, reduced to a state of zombified exhaustion, scrambling to don gas masks as shells explode around them. In a particularly harrowing scene, Owen describes a fellow soldier succumbing to the toxic fumes, "guttering and choking," a testament to the grim reality that belied the glorified image of war. Initially, Owen subscribed to the notion of war as a noble endeavor, fueled by patriotic fervor. Yet, his firsthand experiences shattered this illusion, revealing a landscape dominated by death and despair. The disillusionment Owen expresses challenges Freud’s assertion that humans have an intrinsic desire for destruction. Instead, Owen’s narrative suggests that the valorization of war as a path to glory is a societal construct rather than an innate human impulse.

Erich Maria Remarque

In contrast, Erich Maria Remarque’s "All Quiet on the Western Front" offers a stark depiction of the instinctual drive to survive amidst the war's chaos. Through the eyes of young German soldiers, Remarque illustrates the psychological transformation wrought by the constant threat of death. The trenches become a microcosm of fear and uncertainty, where the soldiers' primary impulse is to escape annihilation. When faced with an onslaught of machine gun fire and grenades, Remarque writes, "We have become wild beasts. We do not fight; we defend ourselves from annihilation." This portrayal aligns partially with Freud's theories, suggesting that while aggression may not be the primary motivator, the instinct to avoid pain and death is paramount. Remarque’s narrative underscores the notion that survival, rather than aggression for its own sake, may be the driving force behind human actions in extreme circumstances.

Conclusion

While both Owen and Remarque provide vivid accounts of the psychological toll of warfare, their perspectives offer a multifaceted view of human nature that neither fully confirms nor refutes Freud’s theories. Owen’s experience highlights a disillusionment with the societal myth of war's glory, emphasizing the constructed nature of such beliefs rather than an inherent thirst for destruction. Remarque, on the other hand, presents a scenario where survival instincts take precedence, echoing Freud's point about self-preservation. Ultimately, these works suggest that while Freud’s theories of aggression and self-preservation are relevant, they must be contextualized within the broader spectrum of human experiences and societal influences. The exploration of these narratives reveals a more complex interplay of instincts and ideologies, suggesting that humanity's relationship with war is not merely a reflection of innate desires but also of the cultural and psychological constructs that shape our understanding of conflict.

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