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Jonathan Foster

Professor Lyons

EUH 3242

January 29, 2017

The One-of-a-Kind Generation

All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Remarque, is a novel that illustrates the

struggles and tragedies many individuals faced during World War I. The story is seen from a

first person view by recent high-school graduate Paul Baumer, who is on active duty with

some of his classmates. Throughout the book many of Pauls friends begin to pass, but

realizes that even if survival was possible they would never return home the same again.

Remarque successfully reveals to us the struggle of Paul and his comrades, clearly showing

why they will be the One-of-a-Kind Generation.

As time goes by Paul and his friends become experts in the fields of war and are able

to react to pretty much anything at an instant. However, as they watch new recruits enter the

battle zone their minds are refreshed of the rookie experience. Many of the recruits are so

scared that they break down and go mental, while others are so terrified that they urinate and

defecate on themselves. Chapter six gives a ratio showing that for every one experienced

soldier dead, there are at least 5 newcomers dead. The chapter also shows an example of fresh

recruits battling against a gas attack. The young men were not aware that the gas was heavily

concentrated in the shell holes; being naive, they removed their gas masks and suffocated to

death. Paul described the recruits in this fashion, for most of them the uniform is far too big,
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it hangs on their limbs, their shoulders are too narrow, their bodies too slight; no uniform was

ever made to these childish measurements.1

Paul has the opportunity to go on leave in chapter seven, but during his time home he is

unable to fully separate himself from the war. There are multiple examples of Paul showing

signs of PTSD; for example, the noise of a tram-car automatically triggers shell bombing in

his head. Along with usual sounds of a civilized area, the individuals back home do not help

Paul mentally escape the battle-zone. He is constantly asked questions about the duties and

lifestyles of the front, along with gaining advice from many of those who cannot fathom the

situation in the field. Paul thinks, I imagined leave would be different from this. Indeed, it

was different a year ago. It is I of course that have changed... I find I do not belong here any

more, it is a foreign world.2 The attitude of being different and constantly reminded of the

brutal experience will be something all of the soldiers will face.

Despite the horrific sites these individuals witnessed during the war, Paul and his

comrades had their share of good memories. One of the most comical memories they shared

was getting Tjarden, one of the four friends, so drunk that he could not join them in seeing

three French girls across the river. While Tjarden was knocked out, Paul and the other two

crossed the river with gifts, joining the three women in their current residence. After the visit

was over the three men were about to cross the river again, until they heard a noise in the

distance. At first they were alarmed since they were in a restricted area, but soon begin to

laugh when they see Tjarden walk by, being late to the special occasion.

1 Remarque, Erich Maria and A W Wheen. All Quiet on the Western Front. New York, USA:
Ballantine Books, 1989 page 130.

2Remarque, Erich Maria and A W Wheen. All Quiet on the Western Front. New York, USA:
Ballantine Books, 1989 page 168.
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Paul had a great sympathy for everybody in the war, but the most that he felt for were

his friends and other youth members. They all acquired a deep love for each other, which is

not odd due to their circumstances. I am no longer a shuddering speck of existence, alone in

the darkness; I belong to them and they to me; we all share the same fear and the same life,

we are nearer than lovers, in a simpler, a harder way; I could bury my face in them, in these

voices, these words that have saved me and will stand by me. 3 The quote above expresses

the bond these individuals have created through their tough times. Along with being bonded,

all of the soldiers will struggle living with the memories of their experience. Due to their

experience, many of them will never be able to live a normal life again, which is a valuable

characteristic that holds the bond together.

All Quiet on the Western Front without a doubt gave a clear illustration of the war, being told

by a German soldier perspective. In many cases people view the Germans as evil individuals

due to the sins of their superiors. This book brings to life the chaotic situations these men

lived through, especially from the German point of view, consistently highlighting the

scarcity of their resources compared to the opposition. Remarque successfully reveals to us

the struggle of Paul and his comrades, clearly showing why they will be the One-of-a-Kind

Generation.

3 Remarque, Erich Maria and A W Wheen. All Quiet on the Western Front. New York, USA:
Ballantine Books, 1989 page 212.
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Work Cited

Remarque, Erich Maria and A W Wheen. All Quiet on the Western Front. New York, USA:

Ballantine Books, 1989.