All Quiet On The Western Front Theme Of Courage

To begin with, the theme is “Forging your own way to get through life’s obstacles” and the protagonist’s trait that goes along with the theme that changes throughout the book is courage. Initially, Curzon’s courage is portrayed as foolhardy and or minor. One example of this is, “I did not see the gap-toothed boy in the confusion of sounds and smoke. I looked behind me at the woods. Would anyone notice if I ran for them?” (22) Therefore, it is clear to the reader that Curzon had hesitated, deserting his courage. Although he might’ve hesitated, later on in the book he decides to join the battle against the British. This is where foolhardy courage comes in. This type of courage is not true courage, it is not deep within Curzon himself, a choice

Curzon could have potentially asked many others for food, including the girl’s mother, and even go to find Eben, whom of which is the boy who he saved from a British soldier. Either way, before he could commit a crime, Eben intercepted him and gave an apple to snack on. On page 42, it reads, “That’s his aim, I realized. Cause me to lose my temper and attack him, then he’d win. In that moment I resolved to be a soldier again.” To explain, the reader can see that Curzon takes the opportunity to be a soldier once again, which is considerably courageous. However, Curzon only takes the opportunity to be a soldier because of Trumbull, his previous boss, a cheat. If it were not for Trumbull, rousing and daring Curzon to join the army, he might’ve thought twice about joining the army again, being cautious instead of being careless. Ultimately, Curzon has courage in the beginning of the narrative, but it is foolhardy courage. Foolhardy courage only requires one thing; doing something bold, but it’s only thought of in the moment while true courage is being afraid but going on ahead and doing the job

During the middle section of the book where most conflict tends to be, the trait, courage, continues to develop and unfold. It comes to be a line between foolhardy courage and true courage. A clear example of this would be, “Do it yourself dogmeat,” and, “When I finally woke up, my boots were gone, my belly hurt wicked, and my skull felt like it had been hit with a hammer.” (137) This information shows that even though Curzon was ordered to take off his boots and give them to John Burns, a malicious man who has a hatred against Curzon and his kind, he had stood up for himself and denied John Burns’ unfair order. As a result, Curzon gets beat and once again, although Curzon did stand up for himself and put on an act of courage, he doesn’t think about the consequences. This could translate to Curzon letting his pride or ego get in the way of his rationality. At the same time, Curzon is experiencing the effects of signing up for the military, the consequences that come with it. “There is one good thing about not eating,” I said,” and, “We’ve got nothing to fart with.” (91) It is clear to the reader that even though it may be the dreariest of times, with starvation, the cold, insufficent shelter and also winter geared clothing, Curzon still has humour, and courage. Throughout the paining feel of