All Quiet on the Western Front Study Guide & Plot Synopsis

All Quiet on the Western Front Plot Summary

Preview of All Quiet on the Western Front Summary:

Part I-Behind the Lines

All Quiet on the Western Front is the story of a young German foot soldier, Paul Baumer, during the waning days of the First World War. Since Paul narrates his story-which consists of a series of short episodes-in the first person and in present tense, the novel has the feel of a diary, with entries on everyday life interspersed with horrifying battle episodes.

We find that Paul joined the army with his classmates Muller, Kropp, and Leer at the urging of their schoolmaster. In the first section, Paul also introduces his friends Tjaden, Westhus, and Katczinski, called Kat. At forty, Kat is the oldest of the soldiers and is skilled in the practicalities of life. As the book opens, the solders concern themselves with food, cigarettes and thoughts of home.

While resting, Baumer and Ins friends decide to visit Kemmerich, a wounded comrade, at the field hospital. They...
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