Storm of Steel Memoir Analysis Essay Example

Eparges. While he remained composed, Ernst received a blow to his left thigh and fell to the ground. Ju?nger recalls the passion he gained from this battle and narrates his encounter with an injured comrade who inquires about the details and severity of his injury.

Ju?nger's frustration is evident as he expresses, "Oh, that's not the issue. What bothers me is that I am unable to fight..." (Ju?nger p.33). However, as the war dragged on, Ju?nger's attitude towards it evolved into a profound admiration. This admiration extended beyond his comrades in arms to encompass his homeland, indicating a pro-war sentiment.

Ernst learned that his platoon needed to eliminate the enemy in order to survive. As the war progressed, death took on a deliberate meaning for him, and as a Lieutenant, Ernst developed a fearless attitude driven by his deep respect for his fellow soldiers. He emphasizes that fighting becomes unavoidable when defending one's country or family name. Junger effectively conveys the importance of friendship and companionship in his message.

During Junger's last encounter on the battlefield, he was positioned near Favreuil and was shot directly in the chest, causing lung damage. At that moment, while Junger believed he was taking his final breaths, the British launched an attack and compelled the German forces to retreat.

Unaware of his own strength to escape the trench and seek help in the field, he was being carried by medical officers in a tarpaulin. Unfortunately, one of them got shot in the back of the head causing both him and Lieutenant Junger to fall down. While lying in the middle of the battlefield, Junger's companions stood watch over him. In Junger's own words,

"At my ear I heard Corporal Hengstmann, a tall blond man from Lower Saxony, saying, 'I'll carry you on my back, sir, we'll make it through or we won't'" (Junger p.287). Ernst Junger's resistance against returning to war waned.

During his recovery, Ju?nger had ambitions of becoming an officer and successfully enlisted, eventually being promoted to the position of platoon leader. As a Lieutenant serving for Germany, Ju?nger maintained a strict focus on the military aspects, leaving out any political or emotional considerations in his writings. In his own words, he stated, "Throughout the war, my aim was always to observe my opponent without hostility and to form an opinion of him as a person based on the bravery he displayed. I would actively seek him out in battle and endeavor to kill him, expecting nothing less from him. However, I never entertained any malicious thoughts about him."

Ju?nger (p.58) expressed his sense of responsibility for the well-being and safety of the prisoners under his control. As the war progressed, there were shortages of sleep, food, and other supplies. According to Ju?nger's account, he eventually returned home but was quickly summoned back to the battlefield (Ju?nger p.89). Witnessing a growing number of daily fatalities deepened Ju?nger's understanding of death as a consequence of war. He described this experience by stating that he could see the deceased with every step he took without feeling horrified (Ju?nger p.214).

Despite witnessing multiple fatalities during the First World War, Lieutenant Junger remained composed. However, upon learning about the death of his close friend, who had fought alongside him since the war began, he could no longer control his emotions. Junger reminisces, "My

friend with admirable qualities, with whom I had shared both joy and sorrow for years, who had just moments ago exchanged a lighthearted remark with me – taken from this world by a small piece of metal! I couldn't comprehend it; unfortunately, it was all too real" (Junger p. 216). In contrast to previous accounts, Junger's description of the final hours on the battlefield and his comrades' courageous attempts to save him revealed newfound emotions. Through his moving and detailed language, Junger offered insight into his intellect and writing style. He masterfully used vivid and expressive words to portray not only his own experiences but also those of others amidst the chaotic combat on the front lines and in the trenches.

Over a span of 3 years, Ernst shared an unfiltered perspective of his war experiences. He likened the intense situations he encountered to being tied to a post while facing a menacing threat from someone wielding a sledgehammer. This analogy resonates with all those who also experienced the war. The suspense grows as the hammer is pulled back and then swiftly propelled forward, narrowly missing one's head and causing fragments to scatter from the post once again.

In his book Storm of Steel, Ernst Junger portrayed the experience of a German soldier in the front line of war, devoid of any political perspectives. Junger depicted the intensity and brutality of witnessing the deaths of fellow soldiers. Despite enduring numerous injuries and traumas, Junger displayed passion by returning to battle. He suppressed his emotions while fighting on the battlefield but revealed his feelings towards his comrades when faced with the possibility of death.

Throughout the passage, there was

a transformation in Junger's emotions, experience, and his comprehension of the true significance of his fight. Despite the brutality of the war, Junger maintained a composed attitude, which gives the passage a unique pro-war sentiment rather than promoting death or cruelty.

Works cited

1. Junger, Ernst, and Michael Hofmann. Storm of Steel. New York: Penguin Books, 2004.