The Problem of Language in All Quiet on the Weste Essays

The Problem of Language in All Quiet on the Weste Essays The Problem of Language in "All Quiet on the Western Front" German Literature The Problem of Language in "All Quiet on the Western Front" For it is no easy undertaking, I say, to describe the bottom of the Universe; nor is it for tongues that only babble child's play. (The Inferno, XXXII, 7-9.) Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front, a novel set in World War I, centers around the changes wrought by the war on one young German soldier. During his time in the war, Remarque's protagonist, Paul Baumer, changes from a rather innocent Romantic to a hardened and somewhat caustic veteran. More importantly, during the course of this metamorphosis, Baumer disaffiliates himself from those societal iconsparents, elders, school, religionthat had been the foundation of his pre-enlistment days. This rejection comes about as a result of Baumer's realization that the pre-enlistment society simply does not understand the reality of the Great War. His new society, then, becomes the Company, his fellow trench soldiers, because that is a group which does understand the truth as Baumer has experienced it. Remarque demonstrates Baumer's disaffiliation from the traditional by emphasizing the language of Baumer's pre- and post-enlistment societies. Baumer either can not, or chooses not to, communicate truthfully with those representatives of his pre-enlistment and innocent days. Further, he is repulsed by the banal and meaningless language that is used by members of that society. As he becomes alienated from his former, traditional, society, Baumer simultaneously is able to communicate effectively only with his military comrades. Since the novel is told from the first person point of view, the reader can see how the words Baumer speaks are at variance with his true feelings. In his preface to the novel, Remarque maintains that "a generation of men ... were destroyed by the war" (Remarque, All Quiet Preface). Indeed, in All Quiet on the Western Front, the meaning of language itself is, to a great extent, destroyed. Early in the novel, Baumer notes how his elders had been facile with words prior to his enlistment. Specifically, teachers and parents had used words, passionately at times, to persuade him and other young men to enlist in the war effort. After relating the tale of a teacher who exhorted his students to enlist, Baumer states that "teachers always carry their feelings ready in their waistcoat pockets, and trot them out by the hour" (Remarque, All Quiet I. 15). Baumer admits that he, and others, were fooled by this rhetorical trickery. Parents, too, were not averse to using words to shame their sons into enlisting. "At that time even one's parents were ready with the word 'coward'" (Remarque, All Quiet I. 15). Remembering those days, Baumer asserts that, as a result of his war experiences, he has learned how shallow the use of these words was. Indeed, early in his enlistment, Baumer comprehends that although authority figures taught that duty to one's country is the greatest thing, we already knew that death-throes are stronger. But for all that, we were no mutineers, no deserters, no cowardsthey were very free with these expressions. We loved our country as much as they; we went courageously into every action; but also we distinguished the false from true, we had suddenly learned to see. (Remarque, All Quiet I. 17) What Baumer and his comrades have learned is that the words and expressions used by the pillars of society do not reflect the reality of war and of one's participation in it. As the novel progresses, Baumer himself uses words in a similarly false fashion. A number of instances of Baumer's own misuse of language occur during an important episode in the novela period of leave when he visits his home town. This leave is disastrous for Baumer because he realizes that he can not communicate with the people on the home front because of his military experiences and their limited, or nonexistent, understanding of the war. When he first enters his house, for example, Baumer is overwhelmed at being home. His joy and relief are such that he cannot speak; he can only weep (Remarque, All Quiet VII. 140). When he and his mother greet each other, he realizes immediately that he has nothing to say to her: "We say very little and I am thankful that she asks nothing" (Remarque, All Quiet VII. 141). But finally she does speak to him and asks, "'Was it very bad out there, Paul?'" (Remarque, All Quiet VII. 143). Here, when he answers, he lies, ostensibly to

Governor in Council Appointments in Canada

Governor in Council Appointments in Canada A governor in council, or GIC, appointee can play one of various roles in the Canadian government. More than 1,500 Canadian citizens occupy these governmental jobs, which range from the head of an agency or commission to the chief executive officer of a Crown corporation to a member of a quasi-judicial tribunal. GIC appointees are employees, earning salaries and receiving benefits like other government workers. How Are Governor in Council Appointees Chosen? Appointments are made by the governor in council, that is, by the governor general on the advice of the Queens Privy Council as represented by Cabinet, through an order in council that normally specifies the term and tenure of the appointment.   The appointments are tailored to each ministers portfolio.  Each minister in the federal Canadian Cabinet oversees a particular department, either solely or in conjunction with one or more other ministers. As part of their responsibilities, the ministers  are responsible for a portfolio of organizations related to their department. The ministers, through the Cabinet, recommend to the governor-general individuals  to administer these organizations, and the governor-general then makes the appointments. For example, the Minister of Canadian Heritage chooses a chairperson to oversee the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, while the  Minister of Veterans Affairs recommends members for inclusion on the  Veterans Review and Appeal Board. Consistent with Canadas ongoing efforts to reflect its national diversity in its government, the federal government encourages ministers to consider gender parity and Canada’s diversity, in terms of linguistic, regional and employment-equity representation, when making governor in council appointments. What Governor in Council Appointees Do Across the country, more than 1,500 Canadians serve as governor in council appointees on  commissions, boards, Crown corporations, agencies, and tribunals.  The responsibilities of these appointees vary widely, depending on roles and placements, and can include making quasi-judicial decisions, providing advice and recommendations on socio-economic development issues, and managing Crown corporations.   Terms of Employment for Appointees Most GIC positions are defined and explained by statute, or legislation. In most cases, the statute specifies the appointment authority, the tenure, and length of term of the appointment and, on occasion, what qualifications the position requires. Appointees may work either part- or full-time, and in both cases, they receive a salary. They are paid within various government  salary ranges depending on the scope and complexity of responsibilities, level of experience and performance. They are eligible for paid and unpaid leave, and they have access to health insurance like other employees. A particular appointment may be for a specific term (for example, one year) or may be indefinite, ending only with resignation, appointment to a different position or removal. The tenure of an appointee is either during pleasure, meaning that the appointee may be removed at the discretion of the governor in council, or during good behavior, which means that the appointee  may only be removed for cause, such as a rule violation or failure to perform his or her required  duties.