Doing one thing in your life can change your future forever. The one you do that changes your life could be for the good or for the bad. Paul and his friend made that one choice and it changed their lives for the worst. Paul and his friends are part of lost generation as a result of their decision to join the war, the deaths they suffer and the changes they face.
The only reason they joined the war is because of their teacher Kantorek who told them to and how they will become the iron youth. In class Kantorek would lecture to Paul and his classmate to join the war. Paul stated that “During drill-time Kantorek gave us long lectures until the whole of our class went, under his shepherding, to the District Commandant and volunteered.” (Remarque 11). Hearing all these lectures they finally volunteer thinking they would become war heroes and save the day. Joseph Behm didn't want to join the war until he heard Kantorek saying that if they join they will be the iron youth. Paul said “There was, indeed, one of us who hesitated and did not want to fall into the line. That was Joseph Behm, plump, homely fellow.” (Remarque 11). The irony of him joining in the first place got him killed. Joseph was the first man to die for Paul’s class. …show more content…
Paul had to experience many deaths but the one that hit hard was Kats death. Paul declared that ”Kat is dead”(Remarque 291). Kat was a father figure to Paul and he died in that arms of Paul. No man should ever have to experience something like that. Paul even had to deal with his own death. Remarque wrote “He fell in October 1918 , on the day that was so quiet and still on the whole front.” (Remarque 296). Even on the quiets of day when Paul was at the front he was killed. All of the fighting was just a waste to die when there was no bombing of any kind or
The only reason they joined the war is because of their teacher Kantorek who told them to and how they will become the iron youth. In class Kantorek would lecture to Paul and his classmate to join the war. Paul stated that “During drill-time Kantorek gave us long lectures until the whole of our class went, under his shepherding, to the District Commandant and volunteered.” (Remarque 11). Hearing all these lectures they finally volunteer thinking they would become war heroes and save the day. Joseph Behm didn't want to join the war until he heard Kantorek saying that if they join they will be the iron youth. Paul said “There was, indeed, one of us who hesitated and did not want to fall into the line. That was Joseph Behm, plump, homely fellow.” (Remarque 11). The irony of him joining in the first place got him killed. Joseph was the first man to die for Paul’s class. …show more content…
Paul had to experience many deaths but the one that hit hard was Kats death. Paul declared that ”Kat is dead”(Remarque 291). Kat was a father figure to Paul and he died in that arms of Paul. No man should ever have to experience something like that. Paul even had to deal with his own death. Remarque wrote “He fell in October 1918 , on the day that was so quiet and still on the whole front.” (Remarque 296). Even on the quiets of day when Paul was at the front he was killed. All of the fighting was just a waste to die when there was no bombing of any kind or