The boots are passed on from soldier to soldier, and each owner of the boots, dies. The boots also portray the cheapness of human lives during the war. Kemmerich was a character in the novel for a short period, but his impact on his fellow soldiers and friends is seen longer than his lifespan in the war. Kemmerich was a member of Paul’s unit and a good friend to the men in that war unit. Kemmerich suffered a great deal of pain when he lost his leg and soon died at a hospital. Paul and his friends realized the hardships they are going to face ahead due to seeing their friend in such misery. Paul was concerned about Kemmerich, but he also knew that the war was cold and tough and his boots would be beneficial. They were making use of something that the death could not. Muller talks about how the boots will suit him, ““They would fit me perfectly. In these boots I get blister after blister…”” (Remarque 15.) This quote shows how even though the men are losing a friend, they are keeping their mind on the positives and how the boots will help them in their struggles with the war. Nevertheless, the soldiers still kept their eyes on their own survival while coping with the loss of a
The boots are passed on from soldier to soldier, and each owner of the boots, dies. The boots also portray the cheapness of human lives during the war. Kemmerich was a character in the novel for a short period, but his impact on his fellow soldiers and friends is seen longer than his lifespan in the war. Kemmerich was a member of Paul’s unit and a good friend to the men in that war unit. Kemmerich suffered a great deal of pain when he lost his leg and soon died at a hospital. Paul and his friends realized the hardships they are going to face ahead due to seeing their friend in such misery. Paul was concerned about Kemmerich, but he also knew that the war was cold and tough and his boots would be beneficial. They were making use of something that the death could not. Muller talks about how the boots will suit him, ““They would fit me perfectly. In these boots I get blister after blister…”” (Remarque 15.) This quote shows how even though the men are losing a friend, they are keeping their mind on the positives and how the boots will help them in their struggles with the war. Nevertheless, the soldiers still kept their eyes on their own survival while coping with the loss of a