While many novels contain profound truths, often these truth are not accepted, either when the novel is written or at a later date.  This often results in a novel being published, only to be banned by one government or another at a later date, or to find its way into the halls of fame years or even decades after its publication.  All Quiet on the Western Front, written by Erich Maria Remarque in the 1920s, is an excellent example.  The novel follows the experiences of a young German man, Paul Bäumer, from the time he and several friends join the German army voluntarily during World War I.

Inspired by the patriotic speeches of a teacher, Paul and his friends voluntarily enlist in the German army during World War I.  Paul and his friends undergo ten weeks of brutal training, tormented by Corporal Himmelstoss.  Transitioning from this to the brutality of war sours the dream of glory and honor, revealing the concept of patriotism as mere words used to inspire young men, but meaning nothing when confronted with the reality of war.

Over the weeks and months that follow, Paul begins to realize that the soldiers they are fighting are no different than he and his friends.  Talk begins between the friends.  One speculates that if the officers were forced to eat the same food and were paid the same as the other soldiers, wars would end more quickly.  Another argues that leaders should fight it out with clubs.  All agree that those who come into power become arrogant during war, never having to risk injury themselves by sending young men such as Paul and his friends to fight in their stead.

The Nazi’s at the beginning of World War II banned this novel and its sequel, The Road Back.  With the truths the novels revealed about the nature of war, it is easy to understand why the Nazis wouldn’t want them being read.  The banning of books doesn’t just happen for political reasons, but for alleged community morality standards.  Essays on the reasons for such banning and the effects novels like this have on society and the decisions we make can be challenging to write.  Fortunately our staff of professional writers loves such challenges.  Students can take advantage of this fact by placing a simple order through our privacy protecting Internet system.  We look forward to your order.

Believed to have been written in the late twelfth or early thirteenth century, Nibelungenlied was written by an anonymous poet, believed to have been from the region of the Danube River southeast of Passau (southeast Germany).  In part, this assumption is based on the mention of “Meister Konrad” being charged with the poem’s copying by the bishop of Passau.  The poet was perhaps an educated man in residence at the bishop’s court.  Though many have been proposed as the possible author of the poem, mainstream scholars accept that the author cannot be positively identified.

Nebelungenlied is considered a part of the Rhinegold trilogy.  This example of classic German literature is the tale of Siegfried, son of Sigmund and Hiordis (aka Sieglind) and the crown prince of Xanten, a city of western Germany.  Siegfried travels Worms (roughly half way between Passau and Xanten) seeking to wed Kriemhild, the virgin sister of King Gunther.  Siegfried strikes a deal with Gunther to assist him in winning the hand of Brünhild, Queen of Iceland.  Using a cloak of invisibility, Siegfried leads Gunther through the trials demanded to win Brünhild’s hand.  Brünhild resists Gunther and Siegfried intercedes, using his cloak to enter Brünhild’s chambers and beat her into submission.  He then takes her ring and belt, an act scholars argue indicates his defloration of her as they are symbols of such an act.

This act sets the stage for the conflicts between Gunther and Siegfried which culminate in Gunther’s acquittal of Siegfried in order to keep the peace between the kingdoms, yet Gunther is complacent when his brother, Hagen, plots to kill Siegfried.  Tricking Kriemhild into revealing Siegfried’s one point of vulnerability (similar to the legend of Achilles) Hagen slays Siegfried.  Later, Kriemhild plots revenge for this murder and Hagen’s theft of her fortune.

Nibelungenlied stands as an eternal classic of German literature.  Though many dislike the tale due to the assumed rape of Brünhild by Siegfried, it is difficult to apply modern social mores to a tale as old as this.  Comparisons can be drawn between the social values of the era in which this tale was written and our modern society and can reveal stark contrasts, particularly in the role of women in society.

Such profound differences can cause significant problems for students, as can the difficulties in understanding the translations of such wonderful tales.  Professional writers, such as ours, stand ready to help students by preparing advanced essays on this and a great many other topics.  All we need is your order.