War is often perceived as glamorous and an adventure to those we are involved. However, war destroys many people in many ways. After fighting in the trenches of World War I, Erich Maria Remarque and Wilfred Owen poured their experiences into works of literature. Even though Remarque and Owen were "enemies" during the war, identical themes can be found in Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front and Owen's "Insensibility" and "Asleep."
             A theme that runs parallel between the works of both men is that sometimes the living soldiers envy the dead. In the poem "Asleep", Owen stated, "He sleeps. He sleeps less tremulous, less cold than we who must awake, and waking, say Alas!" By this he means that the dead soldier can at last truly be at rest. The living soldiers must awake to the never-ending tortures of war. This theme can also be found in Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front. The soldiers look upon the dead and, in some cases, desire to be dead themselves. Death frees the soldier's minds, which are haunted by the plight of war. Another common theme in the works is that of dehumanization. War strips soldiers of feelings such as compassion and ambition. This is evident in Owen's poem, "Insensibility". Insensible in itself means lack of feeling. In the beginning of the poem
             states "Happy are men who yet before they are killed can let their veins run cold. Whom no compassion fleers or makes their feet sore on the alleys cobbled with their brothers." This statement provides strong imagery, men who completely free their mind of any compassion are thus able to walk on the ground covered by their dead comrades and think nothing of it. Owen also wrote, "Happy are those who lose imagination: They have enough to carry with ammunition." Soldiers are far better off without any feeling or any imagination; the only t
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