"All Quiet on the Western Front"

Paper Summary:

This paper analyzes the character of the soldier, Paul Baumer, and examines the radical, irreparable change he undergoes as a result of being a solider. The paper uses scenes and passages described in the book to support this analysis.

From the Paper:

"Baumer says of Kantorek, "It is very queer that the unhappiness of the world is so often brought on by small men" (10). In retrospect, Baumer realizes that his entire class was mislead by Kantorek, a nationalist, but he also realizes that it was not solely Kantorek's fault. He says, "There were thousands of Kantoreks, all of whom were convinced that they were acting for the best--in a way that cost them nothing. And that is why they let us down so badly" (12). Baumer recalls, "In our hearts, we trusted them. The idea of authority, which they represented, was associated in our minds with a greater insight and a more humane wisdom. But the first death we saw shattered this belief . . . the first bombardment showed us our mistake, and under it the world as they had taught it to us broke in pieces" (12, 13). This illustrates how the boys had to grow up too quickly."

More papers on "All Quiet on the Western Front":

• Analytical Essay # 4180 : "All Quiet on the Western Front"
• Term Paper # 142834 : "All Quiet on the Western Front"
• Analytical Essay # 4457 : "All Quiet on the Western Front"
• Book Review # 73731 : "All Quiet On The Western Front"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: