Final answer:
The young soldiers are more disillusioned and cynical due to their wartime experiences, which undermine their initial beliefs in glory and honor. This contrasts with the older generation's views shaped by distant memories and romanticized narratives of past wars.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Paul, young soldiers have different expectations and thoughts about life after the war compared to older men. The young soldiers are often characterized by feelings of disillusionment and cynicism. The war's brutal reality and the way it was mechanized stripped the romanticism typically associated with combat and heroism, leading to a sentiment that chivalric ideals of bravery were outdated. Soldiers, young and old, found that survival on the battlefield was often just a matter of luck rather than skill or courage. Particularly for the younger soldiers, experiences of the war decimated the early notions of glory and honor that motivated them to enlist.
The socio-historical context provided indicates that, over time, the perception of war shifted significantly. Initially, there was a mix of apprehension and enthusiasm about the war with many believing it would resolve nationalistic rivalries. However, as the war progressed and its true nature was revealed, enthusiasm waned and many soldiers became disillusioned. Civilian discontent rose, and with the increased need for troops and the realities of conscription, a range of attitudes spread from conscientious objection to a questioning of fighting for 'imperial glory'. Additionally, the contrast in perspectives about the war's impact between those who experienced it directly and those who remained on the homefront became quite apparent. This divergence in views led to a clash between romanticized narratives of heroism and the starkness of the soldiers' lived experiences.