Book Report: All Quiet On the Western Front
Paul Baumer is a 19 year old German student who is convinced by peers and his schoolmaster to enlist in the German army during World War I. The story follows him and his fellow soldiers throughout their struggles in the war. The book is written through his eyes, which is also known as a ?first person account.? Baumer is sent to the war front where he is placed under the command of Corporal Himmelstoss. Himmelstoss does not like Baumer because he feels that the young soldier is too defiant. Later in the story, Baumer is some friends attack Himmelstoss in the street in an act of revenge for the unnecessary torment he had put While on the front, Baumer and company get trapped in a shell hole for a night. A Frenchman finds his way into the hole, whereupon, Paul stabs him. He then has to comfort the Frenchman while he slowly dies, which is very hard for him and wrestles with his emotions throughout the night. Later, Paul is sent to defend a village. There is no one left in the village, so everyone on the mission is able to ransack the village and do with the villagers? belongings as they please. The French start to attack the village, and Paul one of his friends, Albert Kropp, are injured during the
In the last chapter, Paul dies. The author gives no details about the death, and suddenly shifts the narration from first person to third person without saying who witnesses the death. The author makes a point of saying what a peaceful and calm day it was on the day of his death. As Paul dies, his face is calm, "as though almost glad the I think the author was trying to make a point about how important and unique the life of every soldier was, and then how expendable and nameless he could be to his cause. He was giving his opinion about war itself, as well, I believe. He feels that it merely cheapens the lives of individuals who shape the world, but die defending the monsters their countries can become during wartime. That is what I think his basic thesis was. I enjoyed this book very much and I feel that the author made his point very well. I would recommend it to other readers interested in a good story, or for general knowledge. Remarque is an excellent writer and I wouldn?t mind reading other books by him if I get the chance. Kropp?s infection becomes so bad that he has his leg amputated, but Baumer heals with no problem. Baumer is sent back to the front to continue fighting. It has grown very difficult and cold at this point, and all of his friends
Some common words found in the essay are:
Albert Kropp, Himmelstoss Baumer, World War, Bagnold British, Western Front, Albert Kat, Schoolmaster Kantorek, Paul Baumer, world war, baumer sent, war book, quiet western, western front, paul dies, quiet western front, friends albert,
Approximate Word count = 860
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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