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Conflict In All Quiet On The Western Front

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In the novel, “All Quiet on the Western Front”, Remarque retells the story of World War One from the viewpoint of the German soldier, Paul Baumer. Throughout the novel, Paul experiences the atrocities of this war, but unfortunately the effects of the war were worse than he had imagined. The war took a toll on the life of every single soldier, affecting their futures and families. However, the camaraderie the boys had formed allowed them to survive and ultimately was the only positive outcome of the war. Remarque includes sections throughout the novel that emphasize this deep bond that the soldiers share with one another.

At the beginning of the novel, Remarque begins by sharing the close bond the comrades’ share with one another. The bonding between them has already started as Paul notes that activities such as using the bathroom in public bothers the new recruits, however they have come to realize there are much worse things in this war than their modesty. Himmelstoss’s extreme discipline and punishments also strengthens the Company’s …show more content…

They are no longer young new recruits who fantasize about the war. They have seen the truth before their eyes and it has started destroying them. During the bombardment in chapter 6, Paul’s eyes lock with an enemy soldiers, and “for one mad moment the whole slaughter whirls like a circus around [Paul].” In that split second, Paul realizes that although they are fighting against one another, they are not truly enemies. The battlefield has turned them into “wild beasts.” “[They] do not fight, [they just] defend [themselves] from annihilation.” The same camaraderie that has caused Paul to bond with his comrade’s flickers through his mind as he stands there understanding the stupidity of this war and how he and the enemy are really fighting for the same cause. Remarque uses this moment to show the reader that all but camaraderie has been removed from their humanity due to the

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This demonstrates how much these soldiers depend and need one another. In the novel it says, “Our only comfort is the steady breathing of our comrades asleep, and thus we wait for the morning” (Remarque 275). I imagine being in a dangerous environment such as an ongoing war it would be difficult to find comfort. However, Paul knowing his comrades are alive and getting some rest brings him comfort.

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