Final answer:
The dying Kemmerich in 'All Quiet on the Western Front' had dreams for his future after the war, symbolizing the lost potential of an entire generation due to World War I. Post-war, individuals faced transformed lives, with some finding personal gains like better jobs or education while others missed opportunities due to various factors influenced by the war.
Step-by-step explanation:
The dying Kemmerich, a character from Erich Maria Remarque's novel All Quiet on the Western Front, represents the tragic loss of dreams and potential due to war. Although the specific job that Kemmerich wished to have post-war isn't detailed in the question, the underlying theme is about the shattered hopes of those who experienced World War I. Kemmerich's lost future is emblematic of many young soldiers and civilians whose plans were irrevocably changed or ended by the war.
After World War I, individuals like fruit pickers, factory workers, nurses, and ambulance drivers found that life would not simply return to the way it had been before. There was no going back to the pre-war normality due to the massive societal and economic shifts caused by the war. People like Ernest Hemingway, who served on the Italian front, were profoundly affected by their experiences. Hemingway, for instance, went on to distill his wartime experiences into powerful literature.
While some Americans managed to turn their wartime experiences into personal gains, such as better employment, a new home, or education, others were not as fortunate. The opportunities for post-war advancement depended on various factors, including the societal and economic circumstances individuals found themselves in, the physical and psychological scars left by the war, and the individual's ability to navigate and benefit from the resources made available during peacetime.