The Changes Paul Baumer Faces
Paul Baumer, the simple name of simple boy. He’s no one special, just your average Joe. Paul was a lively young man whom was persuaded to join and fight in the German Army during World War I. Baumer is the main protagonist and narrator of the novel “All Quiet on the Western Front” by Erich Maria Remarque. He started out in this story as an innocent young man; but then he is thrust into adulthood. He must learn to cope with the society of war by undergoing a series of changes that are necessary for his survival. Throughout the three years of Paul’s war life, we watch his innocence and youth get stripped away from him, we see him slowly become disconnected from “normal” society, and we also watch him get taken over …show more content…
Paul watched each of his best friends die, (Kemmerich, Kropp, Muller, and Bertinck) however; I feel Kat was obviously the one that impacted him the most. Granted, Paul died shortly after Kat passed away, but that’s not the point I am getting at here. I believe Kat was almost like the adoptive father of Paul. Paul’s biological father seemed to be very quite insensitive, uncaring, and dull. His father basically used Paul as a trophy so Paul may tell stories of the war to his friends. Paul feels as if his father is itemizing these honorable men whom have died in the war. Unlike Paul’s father, Kat was caring. He was a leader and a mentor for Paul. He helped Baumer cope with the war, and taught him things like how to catch and cook geese for food. Paul would do anything for Kat, and he does just that. When Kat and Paul are on a mission, Kat gets an injury from being shot in the shin on a hot summer’s day. Paul tries his hardest to help him. Paul binds Kat’s wound and then carries him through miles of gun fire and warfare to get him to nearest hospital. Paul risks his life just to save his closest comrade, however his efforts were not successful. Paul realizes that Kat has a shrapnel splinter located in the back of his head, and that he has passed away. Baumer concludes that since he was carrying Kat on his back, Kat’s head blocked the shrapnel from hitting him. Paul is absolutely heartbroken and feels like he has almost has no meaning left to his life
Paul Baumer, the simple name of simple boy. He’s no one special, just your average Joe. Paul was a lively young man whom was persuaded to join and fight in the German Army during World War I. Baumer is the main protagonist and narrator of the novel “All Quiet on the Western Front” by Erich Maria Remarque. He started out in this story as an innocent young man; but then he is thrust into adulthood. He must learn to cope with the society of war by undergoing a series of changes that are necessary for his survival. Throughout the three years of Paul’s war life, we watch his innocence and youth get stripped away from him, we see him slowly become disconnected from “normal” society, and we also watch him get taken over …show more content…
Paul watched each of his best friends die, (Kemmerich, Kropp, Muller, and Bertinck) however; I feel Kat was obviously the one that impacted him the most. Granted, Paul died shortly after Kat passed away, but that’s not the point I am getting at here. I believe Kat was almost like the adoptive father of Paul. Paul’s biological father seemed to be very quite insensitive, uncaring, and dull. His father basically used Paul as a trophy so Paul may tell stories of the war to his friends. Paul feels as if his father is itemizing these honorable men whom have died in the war. Unlike Paul’s father, Kat was caring. He was a leader and a mentor for Paul. He helped Baumer cope with the war, and taught him things like how to catch and cook geese for food. Paul would do anything for Kat, and he does just that. When Kat and Paul are on a mission, Kat gets an injury from being shot in the shin on a hot summer’s day. Paul tries his hardest to help him. Paul binds Kat’s wound and then carries him through miles of gun fire and warfare to get him to nearest hospital. Paul risks his life just to save his closest comrade, however his efforts were not successful. Paul realizes that Kat has a shrapnel splinter located in the back of his head, and that he has passed away. Baumer concludes that since he was carrying Kat on his back, Kat’s head blocked the shrapnel from hitting him. Paul is absolutely heartbroken and feels like he has almost has no meaning left to his life