Talk:Erich Maria Remarque

poor writing

The article is full of indefinite antecedents, as it shifts among subjects and pronouns carelessly from sentence to sentence and paragraph to paragraph. For example, one paragraph begins with the word "His" in reference to Remarque, although Remarque is not the subject of a single sentence in the previous paragraph. Some sensible editing should fix things up, but I haven't time to do that myself right now. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.119.204.197 (talk) 22:50, 19 December 2012 (UTC)

Untitled

"Full Circle" noted here as a Remarque play, links to a site about the Doors album by the same name. It is also linked to a Danielle Steele book.

I made the link point to Full Circle (play). Now all we need is for someone to write the article. --Jose Ramos 13:18, 3 Mar 2004 (UTC)

Correct link is in fact Full Circle (Remarque play), which I've just changed it to. --User:Olaf Davis 16:47, 4 June 2006 (UTC)

In 2007 Full Circle (Remarque play) was made into a redirect to this page, making Olaf's link into a circular link, so I have now removed that link. I have also made Full Circle (play) into a disambiguation page. JBW (talk) Formerly JamesBWatson 12:35, 2 December 2019 (UTC)

Remark/Kramer

Some sources insist he was born Kramer and not Remark, such as http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/remarque.htm . There are significantly more websites calling him Remark. One of them also calls him Remark (http://www.firstworldwar.com/poetsandprose/remarque.htm ) but calls his father Peter Maria Kramer (who is never called Peter Maria Remark by other sites, but Peter Franz Remark). Can anyone shed light on this?

Reply: His last name was orginally Remark. When he fell into discredit in Nazi Germany, the story was made up that he had a Jewish background; Kramer is known as a Jewish name. This story never really died out (I think this had also to do with te fact that Remarque didn't like to talk of his past, so there was room for speculation, but I'm not sure of that). The original family name was Remarque btw (his great-grandfathers last name was Remarque). So he kind of changed it back.

Kramer is not a jewish name, but a standart german name (that doesn't mean that there are not some jews with the name Kramer as well) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 84.164.235.67 (talk) 16:54, 27 August 2008 (UTC)

What exactly would be a "jewish name"? Goldberg etc. are originally German too. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 88.73.46.56 (talk) 15:45, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

A "Jewish name" would be anything the NSDAP decided was Jewish. Less sarcastically, they'd probably be names found primarily among practicing Jews. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.209.12.67 (talk) 05:16, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

The comment immediately ahead of this one sums it up. The Reichsmarchall is quoted as saying "I decide who is a Jew." The same was true with deciding which surnames were "Jewish."

And yet, where would we place the surname Frank? Anne Frank = German/Jew. Hans Frank = German/Nazi.

In a contemporary context, in the United States the surname Jackson can be a Caucasian family name or an African-American family name.

Merry Christmas to all (71.22.47.232 (talk) 22:46, 25 December 2010 (UTC))

Remark is the germanified version of the French “Remarque”. Richard J Evans in The Coming of the Third Reich debunks the Kramer story as a Nazi lie as they considered All Quiet on the Western Front unpatriotic due to telling the truth about war, and is considerably better sourced than the 2 websites mentioned in the original comment ExtravagAunt (talk) 14:29, 19 June 2021 (UTC)

Pabst film

So which novel of his was the G.W. Pabst film Der Letzte Akt based on?

Remarque the pacifist.

Thoughts about how you feel Remarque's hit novel, All Quiet on the Western Front, appealed to you.

Bio Faulty

Read the last few lines for consistancy.

---

Reply:----

It made me really see how hygine has no limits and how rather repulsive it would be to be involved in war. It should give people another point of view of why war shouldn't be the answer towards any disagreement between countries.—Preceding unsigned comment added by [[User:{{{1}}}|{{{1}}}]] ([[User talk:{{{1}}}|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/{{{1}}}|contribs]])

Yeah, I'm not sure if that is wandalism, an edit war, or simply poorly worded sentences. I'd revert, but i don't know enough about him. 12.218.145.112 04:10, 18 March 2007 (UTC)

Wound/wartime details

"Wounded five times, Remarque, like his protagonist, Paul Bäumer, swallowed poison gas and sustained injury to his lungs" -http://encarta.msn.com/sidebar_701509551/All_Quiet_on_the_Western_Front.html

I've read briefly about Remarque's five wounds in WWI in the A.W.WHEEN translation of All Quiet on the Western Front as well; in the biography.

68.224.154.118 02:51, 27 April 2006 (UTC)

Remarque and Hitler

On the following site there's an interesting piece that would be a welcome addition to this page. It tells of how Remarque's sister was executed by the nazi's because he himself was in de USA. It also details how the both of them were stationed only a few miles apart at most near Ypres and fought in the same battles. http://www.greatwar.nl/remarque/remarque-eng.html

Technical Accuracy

Can it really be said that Erich Maria Remarque was his psuedonymn, as he legally changed his name, and was using it throughout all aspects of his life, and not just in his literary works?

Concur...lots of people change their names legally and these are not pseudonyms. Of course in the case of authors and such-like, the reason for the names change can make for interesting psychology, so the change may be worth noting. Engr105th (talk) 23:26, 24 March 2008 (UTC)

Need for further research!

Hi, according to http://wiki.riteme.site/wiki/Bayonet he served in the rear echelons, http://www.greatwar.nl/frames/default-hitlere.html suggest he was a sapper which you would accept was a front-line role, but also that he was a fantasist and fraud about his combat record and rank, whilst encarta does indeed say http://encarta.msn.com/sidebar_701509551/All_Quiet_on_the_Western_Front.html says he was five times wounded and gassed. This is very important but I haven't got to the bottom of it.

According to the Remarque Frieden-Zentrum, which I believe is the best authority on Remarque, he was in the front line for about three weeks, and was wounded once, but in 5 places. He had also been under artillery fire for several weeks before that, in the field reserve depot. I will post more here when I find time. Rumiton 03:38, 21 June 2007 (UTC)

I'm way late asking, but did you find anything out Rumitron? (if so, I assume you added to the article?). The stuff I'm seeing on-line about Remarque seems to be "circular referencing" ie, sources referencing one another, but nothing that goes back to actual German Army records, extant diaries, that sort of thing...btw, I too have read something about Remarque being vague or inconsistent in interviews about his war service, and something about him being spotted after the war wearing an Officer's coat...Any truth to any of it ?? Engr105th (talk) 23:33, 24 March 2008 (UTC)

Hello. I was not intending to do any further research, I have already researched the life and times of Remarque extensively for my translation. Remarque's internationally popular book was one of the most difficult PR issues the Nazis faced as they tried to reconstruct the defeats of 1918 and shift blame for the armistice onto jews. They attacked Remarque in every way, accusing him of being a fantasist, a coward and a jew. He was none of those things, but he did not help himself by his sometimes bizarre behaviour, which today would be attributed to post traumatic stress disorder. There is a fairly well documented story that he awarded a medal he had been given (or promotion stripes, perhaps) to his dog. Anyway, the disinformation the Nazis spread has found its way into several otherwise reputable reference books, including, last time I looked, the Encyclopedia Brittanica. Remarque Frieden-Zentrum is the best source. Rumiton (talk) 00:32, 25 March 2008 (UTC)

Time to love, time to die?

I thought that the word "leben" is translated into english as "to live" not "to love". And, actually, "Zeit zu leben, zeit zu sterben" in other languages is "time to live, time to die"? So, is it a mistake in the article or what?

There is a Note in article with reference to amazon.com. But I think it is a mistake there. It should be "to live". I change it. Shmuliko 05:07, 12 June 2007 (UTC)

The confusion arose because the movie made in, I think, 1958, had the title "A Time to Love and a Time to Die." Remarque didn't seem to mind, as he played a bit part in the movie. Rumiton 14:26, 22 June 2007 (UTC)

You're right, "leben" as far as I been taught is to live, "lieben" is to love; however, the book indeed does say "A Time to Love and a Time to Die". So before changing things, make sure you know exactly what is. By reading this book, you'll see that there truly is a time to love, and a time to die.(71.38.31.108 (talk) 13:58, 25 November 2007 (UTC))

The German title was Zeit zu Leben not Lieben. Google it. Rumiton (talk) 14:26, 25 November 2007 (UTC)

Nationality in infobox?

His Nationality in the infobox is listed as "German," but wouldn't it more correctly be "American," since he became a naturalised U.S. citizen in the 1940's? Srajan01 06:21, 27 July 2007 (UTC)

At the time of writing this novel Remarque was a German citizen. Perhaps it should read German (later American.) Rumiton 10:33, 27 July 2007 (UTC)

All his books were written first in German, and then translated (71.38.31.108 (talk) 14:00, 25 November 2007 (UTC))

His nationality isn’t “German Empire” or any of the others because these aren’t nationalities. It’s German, stateless, American. I think I’ll change the infobox accordingly unless anyone has a reasonable objection Andyjsmith (talk) 14:37, 11 December 2022 (UTC)

WikiProject class rating

This article was automatically assessed because at least one article was rated and this bot brought all the other ratings up to at least that level. BetacommandBot 11:30, 27 August 2007 (UTC)

Who is Michael J. Bernard?

And why is he notable enough for inclusion in this article? Rumiton (talk) 07:48, 26 December 2007 (UTC)

Looks like someone else couldn't find the answer and has removed him. Good work. Rumiton (talk) 11:58, 30 December 2007 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:Erich.Remarque.jpg

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BetacommandBot (talk) 06:39, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

Medical Corps

In Gunter Grass (fictional) book ((My Century)) it says that Remarque served out the war in the ambulance corps, rather than being in hospital for the rest of the war...anyone know any more? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Broonsparrow (talk • contribs) 22:29, 10 August 2008 (UTC)

As you say, this was fiction. The history of his war service here is provided by the Remarque Institute in Osnabruck, which is the definitive source. Rumiton (talk) 13:48, 10 November 2008 (UTC)

Ilse Jutta Zambona

What happened with Remarque's first wife? They married each other twice (see http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/remarque.htm]. Did they divorce, or did she die, before Remarque married Goddard? Richard David Ramsey 16:17, 28 August 2008 (UTC)

According to the German version of wikipedia, they were divorced on May 20, 1957 and she died on June 25, 1975. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.85.144.203 (talk) 00:50, 13 June 2010 (UTC)

(abusive header removed)

His grandfather changed his name from Remarque to Remark due to German xenophobia? What a rubbish. In Germany you can find thousands of Germans with a French name. They descend from huguenots fleeing France. No-one had to change his name; some examples from WW I are von Hutier, von Francois and von Arnauld de la Perière (and don't say they are all noble). —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.221.68.11 (talk) 11:42, 9 November 2008 (UTC)

Have you noticed that people on Wikipedia are very polite to each other? Look for the reason here. I have reverted your changes. The current history of Remarque's family name comes from the Erich Maria Remarque-Archive/Forschungsstelle Krieg und Literatur of the Remarque-Zentrum in his home town of Osnabrueck. If you have reputable sources that support your claims, please present them here. Rumiton (talk) 13:56, 10 November 2008 (UTC)

Factdate

I see a request for sources has been added to the statement that the Remarque family germanised their name due to anti-French hostility in the 19th Century. That statement came from a general information brochure published by the Remarque Institute, but today I cannot find a copy. However, their web site and information page echo the information.

Remarques Vorfahren stammten aus dem deutsch-französischen Sprachgrenzgebiet bei Aachen und führten den Familiennamen Remarque bzw. Remarcle. Sie lebten auf der deutschen Seite, und als nach dem deutsch-französischen Krieg in den 70er Jahren des 19. Jh. ein Erlass zur Germanisierung der Familiennamen herauskam, nannten sie sich Remark.

Remarque wurde am 22.06.1898 als Erich Paul Remark in Osnabrück geboren. Als er nach der Publikation seines ersten Romans Die Traumbude (1920) und ersten Veröffentlichungen als Journalist Anfang der 20er Jahre nach einem Künstlernamen suchte, tauschte er seinen zweiten Vornamen gegen Maria und verwendete die französische Schreibweise seines Nachnamens.

My translation: Remarque's forefathers came from the German-French linguistic border around Aachen and were named either Remarque or Remarcle. They lived on the German side, and when after the Franco-German War of 1870, an edict was issued that family names had to be Germanised, they changed the family name to Remark.

Remarque was born Erich Paul Remark in Osnabrück, on 22 June 1898. When he was looking for a pen name after the publication of his first novel Die Traumbude, and the beginning of his career as a journalist, he changed his second name to Maria and reverted his family name to Remarque.

See here.[[1]] If this removes the objection, I will revert the factdate tomorrow. Rumiton (talk) 12:15, 20 November 2008 (UTC)

Your translation is good, but Erlaß (I prefer traditional spelling) is better translated as decree. Is this website the only reference you have? Then you are on thin ice. Which Erlaß? Was it just regional or nationwide (doesn't make sense because of von Hutier, von Francois and von Arnauld de la Perière among others)? Was it only for French names or other "non-Germanic German" names (Danish, Polish, Czech or whatsoever)? When was this Erlaß revoked? Otherwise he couldn't have changed his name back to French spelling. Does the "Erich Maria Remarque-Friedenszentrum" from the "Friedensstadt Osnabrück" can name the Erlaß? Why no other sources? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.221.119.131 (talk) 22:43, 26 November 2008 (UTC)

Hello, sorry to miss your comment for so long. I am fine with decree, and if I had a German-language keyboard I would prefer the traditional spelling also.  :-) To my mind the Remarque Institute is a highly reputable source; I would say a definitive one. They work to a very high standard under intense public scrutiny. If you care to contact them, I am sure you will get as much detail regarding the evolution of this law as you require. Rumiton (talk) 13:05, 7 November 2009 (UTC)

Hello, I missed your comment for so long too, sorry. I asked the Remarque Institute for the decree. They answered, that there was no real decree. Remarque's family most probably Germanized their name voluntarely. That's OR, I know. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.221.39.114 (talk) 23:35, 23 July 2010 (UTC)

Not OR, just finding a good source, but that is very odd, as they are the source that said that: ein Erlass zur Germanisierung der Familiennamen herauskam. Rumiton (talk) 13:14, 26 July 2010 (UTC)

Here are two sources from the Uni in Osnabrueck which are a bit contradictory.

The first source states the change in spelling took place in the 1870s.

The second source seems to indicate a much earlier date of the change.

Source I: Wissenswertes zu Leben und Werk Remarques

Remarques Vorfahren stammten aus dem deutsch-französischen Sprachgrenzgebiet bei Aachen und führten den Familiennamen Remarque bzw. Remarcle. Sie lebten auf der deutschen Seite, und als nach dem deutsch-französischen Krieg in den 70er Jahren des 19. Jh. ein Erlass zur Germanisierung der Familiennamen herauskam, nannten sie sich Remark.:

Source II: Erich Maria Remarque Biografie in Daten

29. Oktober: Geburt des Urgroßvaters Johann Remarque in Aachen († Kaiserswerth 13.02.1855)

1829 - 14. November: Geburt der Großmutter Adelheid Maria Bäumer in Jülich († Viersen 16.10.1879)

1840 - 30. März: Geburt des Großvaters Aloys Peter Remark in Kaiserswerth († Viersen 11.01.1879)

1867 - 12. Juni: Geburt des Vaters Peter Franz Remark in Kaiserswerth

1871 - 12. November: Geburt der Mutter Anna Maria Stallknecht in Katernberg

According to Source II, E.M.Remarque's greatgrandfather Johann Remarque moved from Aachen to Kaiserswerth (near Düsseldorf), where his son Aloys Peter Remark was born on March 30, 1840. So it seems, the change in spelling occurred long before the 1870s.

The source shows the exact birth dates of Aloys Peter (grandfather) and Peter Franz (father). Both were born before 1870 and in both cases the last name is spelled Remark. 2001:9E8:4605:A184:6EE4:9917:9680:446C (talk) 16:47, 1 February 2023 (UTC)

World War I

Shouldn't the most obvious thing be stated in the first sentence of the second paragraph that Remarque was conscripted by the Germans and fought in WWI? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Fredsaid22 (talk • contribs) 08:06, 21 November 2009 (UTC)

opinoins

too many opionions like saying "he is well known" we need to replace or erase the opions. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Gulldino (talk • contribs) 14:47, 14 October 2015 (UTC)

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Film

I saw the new German film based on "Im Westen nichts Neues" and came to the Wiki site hoping to find information about whether Remarque was involved in the writing of the film scripts for any of the prior films based on his novel. Or did he simply sell the rights to other entities to write the film scripts? 2603:6011:403:253C:CD98:772A:9596:240C (talk) 20:39, 20 February 2023 (UTC)