In Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front, a young man of nineteen is thrust into the German army on the strong ideals of nationalism and patriotism. Paul, the young German, and his fellow schoolmates join the war voluntarily after listening to the patriotic speeches of their beloved schoolmaster, Mr. Kantorek. The young men soon realize that these ideals of nationalism and patriotism are empty promises. Paul and his friends soon realize that war is not glorious and honorable. He and his fellow comrades start to feel the effects of the war on them mentally and physically. But they are not the only people feeling these effects. Many other soldiers are experiencing the same mental and physical effects. All the soldiers in WWI are dehumanized and de-individualized because they no longer view themselves as individual human beings but rather animals trying to survive the agony of war.
Paul Baumer and his classmates volunteer for WWI on the belief in patriotism and nationalism. Their schoolmaster, parents, friends and their whole community, inscribed these ideals into their young minds. But with the death of a former classmate and life on the front, they quickly realize that their beloved ideals are simply empty promises. After a bloody battle with the Allied forces that only leave thirty-two men alive, the soldiers are given a leave. Paul goes home to be with his family but feels awkward because he is unable to express his feelings with anyone. After his leave, Paul is sent to a training camp near Russian prisoners-of-war. While at the training camp, he develops a feeling of comradely towards the Russians because he feels that they are just like him. Paul is then sent back to his company and during a battle he is separated from his company. He is forced to hide in a shell whole and while there, a French soldier jumps in there with him and instinctively, Paul stabs the man.