Final answer:
John Steinbeck increases the emotional power of his essay through vivid imagery and compelling language that illustrate the brutal realities of war, with contributions by novelists, artists, and poets echoing the theme of suffering and disillusionment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The emotional power in John Steinbeck's essay is amplified through his descriptive recount of soldiers' horrific experiences during the war. Steinbeck uses vivid imagery and compelling language to paint a vivid picture of the brutal and senseless reality of trench warfare. Journalists and novelists, including Ernest Hemingway, Erich Maria Remarque, and others, have captured the absurdity of the conflict and the profound impact it had on those involved.
The use of firsthand accounts and the portrayal of common themes such as suffering, the disillusionment of war, and the clash of social classes provide a window into the psychological and physical toll on soldiers. These literary works served as vehicles to express the bitterness and critique toward the entire concept of a civilized war, as well as to highlight the disillusionment with Western culture at the time.
Adding to the emotional power, visual arts and poetry by artists like Käthe Kollwitz and poets like Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon, depicted the grim reality of war, showcasing personal loss and the inhumanity of the events, serving to invoke strong feelings against the war from their audience.