Every beginning has an end. As does this story. The movie begins with the boys finishing their schooling. It is almost symbolic as the boys leave the school laughing and joking with one another as if they are leaving their childhood behind. The following day the boys enlist for war. They begin their training to become soldiers immediately. Under the tutelage of Corporal Himmelstoss, the boys undergo grueling drills in the mud and freezing cold. The boys get Corporal Himmelstoss back for his heartless manner. Late in the night they "attack" the intoxicated Corporal and leave him in a humiliated state. This shows the boys still posses their childlike humor and antics. The next day the boys march out in flawless order ready for war. As the do so new recruits are being marched in.

As the boys wait to board the trains they get their first glimpse of war and it's affects. Wounded soldiers are ushered out, now they see how destructive the war can be. The day they arrive to the front they are placed o

The boys all attended school together. Josef Behm was the first of their classmates to die. The war took away everyone's optimism. Before Behm's death they knew he wouldn't survive. He was in much pain and it all of his friends witnessed it. His death made the war more personal, because now the other men realized that war could kill them as well. Franz Kemmerich had a wound to the leg that became fatal. At first others said he was "lucky" because it was only his leg. It would have to be amputated and everyone knew he would not be back to battle. Another infection spread through him though and killed him. Instead of encouraging words before his death, his friends urged him to give them his boots. They could not lie to themselves or each other; hopefulness was not part of the boys' lives anymore. Before his death Kimmerich gave his boots to another schoolmate. Detering another student disappears from the camp. They hear no more information concerning him except that he has been caught by the military police on his way back to Germany. They do however know the consequence for trying to leave is death. Paul Baumer and Albert Kropp are close friends; so close it seems ironic that both become injured at the same time. Paul regains his health again but it seems Albert may not. He pleas with Paul to get him a gun so that he may kill himself. He feels things are so bad and knows nothing will be the same that death would be the best solution. Paul himself is sent back home for leave time to recuperate. While away Muller, another companion of the men is killed in battle. After a short time Paul returns to the front line. Soon after he joins the battle again Leer is shot and killed. Paul is the only one of the schoolmates alive and fighting on the front line. He is now the experienced one. Kat is gone he was shot in the head. Paul is the leader to a bunch of inexperienced kids right now. While writing a note to Albert Paul is shot in the head and immediately dies.

The war may have killed all of the men who were schoolmates but th

Some common words found in the essay are:
Albert Paul, Katczinsky Kat, Albert Kropp, Corporal Himmelstoss, Franz Kemmerich, Western Front, Paul Baumer, Josef Behm, front line, paul returns front, returns front line, war glorious, war front line, corporal himmelstoss, war changed, paul returns, war front, day boys, paul baumer, returns front, shot head,
Approximate Word count = 1391
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)