Comerade-ship In All Quiet On The Western Front Essay

In Erich Maria Remarque's novel, All Quiet on the Western Front, one of the central themes is the theme of comradeship. This theme is brought out throughout the novel in scenes when the men are resting and when they are in battle. The camaraderie of their escapades during times of rest, Paul's experience when he is alone in the trench, and the support the group offers each other during battle all emphasize the importance of comradeship in the lives of Paul and his fellow soldiers.

First, at times of rest, the group enjoys friendly amusement in which Remarque highlights the theme of comradeship. For example, in Chapter Five, Paul and Kat capture a goose. As Kat is roasting the goose, Paul remarks "We don't talk much, but I believe we have a more complete communion with one another than even lovers have. We are two men, two minute sparks of life; outside is the night and the circle of death," (94). As Paul watches Kat roasting the goose and hears his voice, this moment of friendship and sharing brings peace and reassurance to Paul. Another escapade demonstrating camaraderie occurs when Albert, Paul, and Leer swim naked across a river to go to the house of three French girls. As Paul tells it, they "are glowing and full of a lust for adventure"(146). Remarque has Paul narrate this particular exploit with humor and comedy, again highlighting the theme of comradeship present during the adventure. Afterwards, Paul and his friends joke around and exaggerate their experience. Remarque has the three friends showing off to the others, demonstrating the spirit of friendship between them. Through this camaraderie, Remarque suggests that even in times of war, the soldiers are able to amuse themselves in fun and friendship. In yet another occurrence during peace time, Remarque brings forth the theme of comradeship with Paul and his friends in the barrack remembering fondly how they once got even with Himmelstoss. They share their story with Kat and "indulge in reminiscences" remembering the young boys they once were (42).

Second, Paul's experience in the trench is an event in which he expressly analyzes the importance of comradeship for his survival. After Paul is rescued from the trench, Remarque has him reflect on comradeship. Paul considers how he belongs "... to them and they to me; we all share the same fear and the same life; we are nearer than lovers,...; I could bury my face in them, these voices, these words that have saved me and stand by me" (212). Here, Paul expresses how his fellow soldiers are his new family, the ones he can look up to and rely on to save him and stand up for him. In having Paul say this, Remarque is emphasizing that through thick and thin, battle and rest, horror and hopelessness, the soldiers hold each other up and comfort each other. This further brings out the novel's central theme of comradeship.

Finally, the support the group offers each other during battle invigorates the spirit of comradeship throughout the novel. For example, after Paul is rescued from the trench, Remarque makes it difficult for Paul to forget the incident with the Frenchman. Paul is so troubled that he seeks the comfort of Kat and Albert. According to Paul, Kat and Albert "both try to calm me ... I listen to them and feel comforted, reassured by their presence" (228). Another instance of support and friendship during battle occurs when Albert is hit, and Paul, knowing he may be hit as well, risks his life and helps Albert "run diagonally across country...[and calls] out to a passing ambulance wagon..." in order to help his friend and comrade. In yet another scene, Remarque has Paul become a saving, supporting character in battle. Kat, whom Paul sees as a father-figure, falls. Paul then carries Kat to the dressing station in a vain attempt to save his life. Through the various scenes of support in battle amongst the soldiers, Remarque conveys that comradeship is what helps the men get through the war. Remarque also makes Paul realize the importance of comradeship in battle by having him attempt to save Kat and Albert, just as they had saved Paul from the trench and comforted him. It is through being saved in battle, and then later saving others in battle, that Remarque can have Paul claim "the finest thing that arose out of the war [was] comradeship" (27).

In Conclusion, by using three different instances of comradeship; the camaraderie of the soldiers' escapades during times of rest, Paul's experience when he is alone in the trench, and the support the group offers each other during battle, Remarque ultimately delivers the theme of comradeship in troubled times. These different experiences of comradeship throughout Remarque's novel, All Quiet on the Western Front are brought together through Remarque's alternation of scenes when the men are resting and when they are in battle.