Kevin Sanchez
Ms. Gorrell
English 10 HON
28 August 29, 2013
Biography of Erich Maria Remarque
Enrich Maria Remarque was born in 22 June 1898 and died in 25 September 1970. Was a German author and was known for writing the novel All Quiet on the Western Front. It was in Osnabruck where Remarque was raised, developing boyhood interests of fishing and butterfly collecting. In Catholic school, he was labeled as talented and gifted. Music, specifically the piano, became an important part of his life as a young adult. But Remarque's dreams of doing anything with music was ruined after being hit in the wrist by shrapnel during World War I. WWI brought more than a shattered music career for Remarque; around the start of the war, his mother fell ill with cancer which was a great tragedy for him.
In 1916, Remarque was drafted into the army along with his fellow pupils with a less than enthusiastic attitude about serving the "Fatherland" in a time of war. Remarque did the basic training and in June of the next year, was sent to fight at the western front. The work was dirty, dangerous, and difficult; tasks were assigned during unbearable weather conditions and the next five months brought many images of slaughter and death. Remarque withstood through many things and was in many life or death situations. Remarque was seriously wounded by English long range artillery and was enough severe to be sent to St. Vincenz hospital in Duisburg where his shooting was over, unlike his companions in battle.
His hospital stay was interrupted by two deaths, his mother's and his close friend, Fritz Horstemeier. The deaths were an emotional blow but his interest in writing and publishing was sparked and the writer even submitted his first attempts at writing to a German periodical. But in October of 1918, Remarque was declared fit for garrison and was released from the hospital. Assigned to the First Replacement Battalion of Infantry Regiment 78 in his hometown, the writer was examined by a battalion physician and pronounced fit for duty. Luckily for Remarque, the World War I armistice was signed four days later.
Though everything was silent in the battlefields, post-war turmoil brought social and political unrest for the nation. Whether Remarque was discharged from duty or just returned home is unclear. However, by 1919, the author returned to his unfinished studies. Upon his return, he was able to obtain a teaching position, which he accepted. But the idea of becoming a teacher was more of what his parents wanted and not what he wanted, and he said no to any further offers. Though his teaching career was over, his literary career advanced in 1920 with the publishing of his first novel, Die Traumbude (The Dream Room).
For the next two years, Remarque held various odd jobs until securing a position as editor and publicity director for the Continental Rubber Company's advertising and trade journal. In 1925, Remarque moved to Berlin where he became the picture editor of the Scherl Publishing House's weekly magazine. In 1928, Remarque's works, Station on the Horizon and All Quiet on the Western