All Quite on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

Away from the front lines, soldiers are perceived and act as individuals, however, when pulled to the front, they come together creating and inseparable bond of camaraderie. Remarque’s All Quite on the Western Front illustrates the true content of war. The soldiers of the front lines fought with a common purpose, putting aside other desires and denying personal needs, creating a flagrant bond of camaraderie. Through this camaraderie Paul Baumer finds life on the front lines bearable, as we see in the relationships the soldiers share. Through Paul’s protection of his comrades, the family like relationship between the soldiers and the development of a close bond during free time, Remarque shows that the most important aspect of war is undoubtedly camaraderie.

Soldiers in WWI had only each other to depend on for any chance of survival. Paul reveals this time and again by protecting and trusting those around him. Paul says once “we had to recognize that our generation was more to be trusted that theirs. They surpass us only in phrases and in cleverness” (Remarque 12-13). He is referring to the older generations who are not fighting on the front with Paul and his comrades, and still describe the war as glorious. Paul understands that camaraderie is based on common experience, something only the front line soldiers live through and thus understand. Because these common experiences exist, Paul also shows compassion to especially the younger, new recruits. While in the trenches, a young recruit “lay in utter terror. He had buried his face in his hands. He looked up, pushing the helmet off and like a child crept under [Paul’s] arm…the little shoulders heaved. Shoulders like Kemmerich’s” (Remarque 61). Paul’s compassion for the young soli...

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...“a more complete communion with one another than even lovers…so intimate we do not even speak” this forever known camaraderie is set in stone for when one part is lost it leaves the group weak (Remarque 94). This is portrayed when Kat dies and Paul is left alone. He realizes since his comrades are no longer living, there is no one left for him and he gives up. He knew nothing but death and dying without the camaraderie in the war.

War is a series of deaths for a greater gain for the people who do not fight at the front. However while on the front it becomes a fight for life through battle and friendship. The bonds created allow success and support. The family bonds created in the trenches are the most important effect of war and debatably the only good one. Throughout war it is seen that these relationships are the only light, in the never-ending darkness of war.