All Quiet on the Western Front Flashcards
Who is the leader of the group and why is he the leader?
- Kat
- He is the oldest, mature, strong, and has a distinctive sixth sense in identifying trouble and food. He also looks out for the men. He helps them, suffers with them, and finds things for them
While home on leave, why does Paul get upset with his father and other men?
His father asks him a ton of questions about the front. The other men he meet have unrealistic expectations and ideas about war.
Why does Paul think that going home threatens his existence more than war does?
When he was at the front, he was indifferent and hopeless. When he came home it brought more humanism into him due to his mom’s love and kindness. He knows that in order to survive he must let go of his humanism.
How does the soldiers view politics?
They feel like they have to fight in a war that someone higher-up started. The people who started it don’t have to experience what they went through or the things they see.
What criticism does the author make on both doctors and orderlies?
Doctors and orderlies have become numb to death. There are no feelings in the hearts of doctors. They have no reaction when people are dying.
How do new recruits react to war and how do the older guys react to the new recruits?
They are trained on what to do, but when it comes to the real thing they can’t take it and freeze up. Some of them panic and do rash things that get them or people around them killed. The older guys see them as children.
Why did Paul and his friends enlist?
They were socially pressured into it. Their teacher Kantorec told them that they should join the war because it’s the patriotic thing to do. He also told them that they are considered cowards if they don’t join the war.
How is the western front more than a place? (No Clue)
G
What important lesson does Paul learn while guarding the Russians?
That they are regular people just like him. They seem to be suffering people and Paul can’t see them as enemies. He realizes that they are all fighting someone else’s war.
Talk about Paul’s interactions with with the Frenchman he kills?
When the soldier jumps into the shell hole Paul is crawling in and Paul stabs him. Paul realizes that the Frenchmen didn’t die, but is eventually going to. Since it’s Paul’s first kill, he feels empathy towards they dying man. Paul tries to save him and gives him water.
Why does Paul take off military clothes and put on civilian clothes, how does he feel in them?
He doesn’t want to have anymore instances like he had with the major. He feels awkward in them because the old Paul is gone, while army Paul is there
How does the author use the contrast of laughter vs seriousness?
The author has the soldiers laugh, make jokes, and use humor to help them get through the serious and tough times.
