All Quiet On The Western Front Symbolism

In “All Quiet on the Western Front,” Erich Maria Remarque tells a story about a young soldier, Paul Baumer and his journey in World War I and the traumatic events he and other soldiers faced. Paul and his friends willing joined the army because of the persuasion of a teacher they looked up to, and trusted. They went from boys, to men, in this war. Paul and his friends face many brutalities throughout the war; they struggled and they learned to survive. Many struggles were caused by a power-hungry man, Corporal Himmelestoss who was a superior to them. They learned that the war was not an honorable place to be, it was brutal and they were scared, they realized the war was not where they wanted to be. Paul struggled with his thoughts and regretted …show more content…
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