All Quiet on the Western Front

In his novel All Quiet on the Western Front, Erich Remarque details World War I through a series of chapters that have no relative sequence. Remarque through this writing technique really captivates and draws the reader’s attention to the ongoing war. Throughout the experience of the war Remarque usually details Paul’s personal life and vice versa fighting on the front line. This can be seen in chapters 6 and 10 where Remarque drastically changes the scenario in each chapter. In chapter 6 the imagery of fighting on the front line with bullets and bodies flying everywhere is a clear sight. This is much different in chapter 10 where Paul and his friends enjoy a nice leave from the front line and enjoy playing cards or feasting.

Overall I was very impressed by the message Remarque sent to the reader’s about warfare. He portrayed this through Paul while he was watching the captured Russian soldiers. Paul notices that captured soldiers are more alike to him than they are different. Warfare is not based on hatred but by demand from the higher ranks.