Published in 1928, All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque is a noteworthy novel that illustrates the ordeals of Paul Baumer, a young German soldier who is deployed at the Western Front. Paul, who acts as the primary narrator for the novel, precisely elucidates several tragedies that he and his comrades witness as a result of violence inflicted by war. His comrades, which include Kat, Muller, Albert, and Kemmerich, help Paul overcome multiple obstacles such as the horrors of the war. Despite these unfortunate situations regarding the war, the relationships, especially that of Paul and his comrades, are exemplified as a result of fighting alongside each other. Throughout the novel, Remarque meticulously describes several situations
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As the novel progresses, Remarque uses impeccable descriptions and sensory details to showcase the ever-growing friendly intimacy between Kat and Paul to represent how their time at war as expanded the formerly weak relationship. In the middle of the novel, Paul and Kat hunt for geese in order to feed on it. While in the shed, sitting comfortably around the fire eating the goose that Paul had captured, Paul feels a sudden leap in friendly intimacy with Kat as he narrates, “We are two men, two minute sparks of life; outside is the night and the circle of death. We sit on the edge of it crouching in danger...What does he know of me or I of him? Formerly we should not have had a single thought in common--now we sit with a goose between us and feel in unison, are so intimate that we do not even speak” (Remarque 94). Through such experiences, even simple …show more content…
Without such substantial support from their comrades, soldiers, such as Paul and his friends, would struggle to rebound in times of crises during the war. Paul, in this case, was fortunate to have comrades, such as Kat, who guided them and assisted them throughout the entirety of the war. This not only affects them on the short term level, but long term as well. Creating close connections can only occur when a considerable amount of time is spent together and taking part in wars, consequently, allows the creation of such connections. These connections can be important even after being dispatched from the army as soldiers try to fend of flashbacks by virtue of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). Remarque tries to deliver these strong messages about the significance of these relationships throughout the novel and couples with imagery in order to help the reader better understand his intentions regarding the importance of war in developing soldiers’
As the novel progresses, Remarque uses impeccable descriptions and sensory details to showcase the ever-growing friendly intimacy between Kat and Paul to represent how their time at war as expanded the formerly weak relationship. In the middle of the novel, Paul and Kat hunt for geese in order to feed on it. While in the shed, sitting comfortably around the fire eating the goose that Paul had captured, Paul feels a sudden leap in friendly intimacy with Kat as he narrates, “We are two men, two minute sparks of life; outside is the night and the circle of death. We sit on the edge of it crouching in danger...What does he know of me or I of him? Formerly we should not have had a single thought in common--now we sit with a goose between us and feel in unison, are so intimate that we do not even speak” (Remarque 94). Through such experiences, even simple …show more content…
Without such substantial support from their comrades, soldiers, such as Paul and his friends, would struggle to rebound in times of crises during the war. Paul, in this case, was fortunate to have comrades, such as Kat, who guided them and assisted them throughout the entirety of the war. This not only affects them on the short term level, but long term as well. Creating close connections can only occur when a considerable amount of time is spent together and taking part in wars, consequently, allows the creation of such connections. These connections can be important even after being dispatched from the army as soldiers try to fend of flashbacks by virtue of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). Remarque tries to deliver these strong messages about the significance of these relationships throughout the novel and couples with imagery in order to help the reader better understand his intentions regarding the importance of war in developing soldiers’