I chose the book entitled All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque. This book appealed to me because I am very interested in World War One. I wanted to learn more about the experiences of a German soldier who fought during that particular time period. The novel is set on a German warfront from 1917 up until 1918. It is specifically set on the Western Front, between Germany and France.
The plot of the novel takes the reader through the experiences of a young German recruit, Paul Baumer, and his fellow soldiers, who were encouraged to enlist by their teacher Kantorek. Kantorek glorified the war so that it would appeal to his then students. He told them that it would be disrespectful to their country if they did not enlist. Paul narrates the story quite vividly, presenting exclusive imagery. Paul has several friends who enlisted with him. Muller is the school boy dreams of the days when he could sit in a schoolhouse. He is always practical and logical. Albert Kropp is also an intellectual; he has his own theories as to how the war should be fought out. He is the only one of the students who survives the war, his lag is amputated and then he is sent home. Tjaden is a small man with an attitude. He was a locksmith prior to joining the army. Kemmerich is the second one of the boys to die; his leg is amputated prior to his death. Katczinsky, commonly called Kat, is Paul's best friend. He is forty years old and is very resourceful. Josef Behm was the first recruit to be killed, he is a minor character. Himmelstoss is also a minor character, but he was the boys" drillmaster. He always bullied and antagonized them. The entire group is desensitized by the harsh realities of the war. They become unaware of the horrors that surround them. Of all Paul's soldier friends, Kat is the most resourceful. He is always trying to locate food and gather supplies for the group, and is often very successful.
