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Character Analysis: All Quiet On The Western Front

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All Quiet on the Western Front by Erica Maria Remarque varies from several books about war because instead of highlighting the sense of bravery and heroism of it, Remarque points out more of the destruction, emptiness, and violence it causes to a soldier. Paul Baumer, a German soldier fighting in World War I as well as the narrator of the novel, starts to realize how war traumatizes both mentally and physically. He joined the war along with his friends after being given an uplifting speech that provided them with the mindset that war builds you, when in fact it destructs. However, when they come face to face in battlefield, they begin to realize that war isn’t as glorious as it deems to be and are willing change their decision if given the chance. …show more content…

One of the main characters of All Quiet on the Western Front is Paul Baumer, the protagonist of the novel and faces a huge conflict, which is Man vs. Self. Although he is a kind man at heart, he dares not to show it in fear of appearing vulnerable and not surviving during war. Previous to the war Peter was a lively young man who used to write poetry. However, after participating in the war he began to feel and look older and because of this he funds it impossible to mourn, even though he tries hard to at times. Corporal Himmelstoss is also an important character of the book because he proves how war brings the wickedness out of people. He sends his recruiters on ridiculous errands and acts cruel towards his men in attempt to teach them “discipline”. In Remarque’s novel he represents the most vicious and meanest of them all that war brings out. An additional important character is Stanislaus Katczinsky; a he is the leader of the pack and a mature and strong forty year old with a family back home. He is also of the Second Company, as well Paul’s best friend. He is also the major factor of his friends’ survival since he provides food and shelter for

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