Theme: The Lost Generation p 12-13. How does passage “For us lads of eighteen…” reinforce theme?
It reinforces theme by showing how Paul’s generation had been betrayed by the older generation that they trusted and their disillusionment with society.
Character: Paul p 19-20, It is strange….
Alienated from his old life, knows that he will be unable to return to it after the war. Now an adult, but with no previous adult life to return to. No longer believes he has any future after the war.
Character: Himmelstoss p 22 By threes and fours… being strict with recruits
Large ego, small man, senses a “quiet defiance” among Paul and his classmates. Sadistic and continuously punishes recruits. Represents the older generation that do not understand what they are sending children off to do.
Character/theme: Kemmerich p 28-29 He is not the first… let him not die
Kemmerich is only a child of 18 and does not deserve the gruesome death that he has to suffer. Used to wear a brown coat with a belt and shiny sleeves, could do the giant’s turn on the horizontal bar, couldn’t stand cigarettes, skin was very white. The orderlies steal his belongings while he is ill, a symbol of how the older generation is stealing something from the younger one.
P. 1-2: We are at rest...came back only eighty strong (Analyze POV)
POV- 1st person POV. Paul Baumer is teh narrator. Character as narrator