The major theme of the novel dwells on the waste and emptiness of war. Thousands of lives are lost just because a few men in authority want more land and more power. Ordinary people, with valuable aspirations and dreams, are being pulled into the battle and fight valiantly, only to have a grave as a reward. War does not only destroy lives and property, but also destroys the human spirit. Soldiers are subjects to physical torment; eyes being blinded, limbs are blown off, blood flows everywhere, and innocent men die in agony.

War is destructive and brings no positive attitude toward life. People fight for their country in hopes of returning home, but it does not always work in that way. During World War I, people are being drafted and sent to fight for their country as young

death and the suffering of others. Kemmerich's watch is stolen by the medical personnel, who are supposed to be caring for him in the hospital. Muller callously asks Kemmerich for his leather boots since he will not need them any more as an amputee. Baumer and his friends are considered heroes for beating up Corporal Himmelstoss. The only thing that matters for most soldiers is a personal fight for survival.

The constant presence of fear, death, violence, and destruction during war numbs the senses, desensitizes the soul, and kills the conscience. Soldiers quickly become immune to

as sixteen. They are being sent to the Front without any knowledge of what is to come and die from not knowing what to do. The destructive power is so great that even the fundamental differences between life and death become blurred. The impact

Some common words found in the essay are:
Albert Kropp, Western Front, Charles Duval, World War, Corporal Himmelstoss, Paul Baumer, fear death, fight country, impact war,
Approximate Word count = 565
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)