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Leadership In Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet On The Western Front

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“There were thousands of Kantoreks, all of whom were convinced that they were acting for the best--- in a way that cost them nothing. And that is why they let us down so badly” (Remarque 12). Leadership plays an important role in every war, especially those of major importance. All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque has many examples of leadership on display. Three types of leadership displayed in the novel are Kantorek’s hypocritical leadership, Himmelstoss’s authoritarian leadership, and Kat’s pack leader qualities. To begin with, Kantorek’s leadership style is hypocritical. Kantorek was the men’s schoolmaster. Throughout the entire time Kantorek taught, he pushed the ideas of signing up to serve in the war to his students in order to play their part for their country. Paul mentioned “I can see him now, as he used to glare at us through his spectacle and say in a moving voice: “Won’t you join up, Comrades?” (Remarque 11). Although he pushed the idea of serving, he would …show more content…

There are such people everywhere but one does not appreciate it at first. Katczinsky is the smartest I know. It’s a good thing to be friends with him, as Kropp and I are, and Haie Westhus too, more or less” (Remarque 37).
The men are very happy to have him around, and he keeps them going. Kat’s pack leader leadership positively influences Paul and the men. Henceforth, leadership is very important in our everyday lives, let alone war. All Quiet on the Western Front displays many different kinds of leadership that influence its main characters, both positively and negatively. Kantorek displays hypocritical leadership through his push of having students sign up, but being a horrible soldier himself. Himmelstoss displays authoritarian leadership through his abuse of power. Kat displays pack leader qualities through being a father-figure to the men. So this begs the question: did these leaders do their part in the war

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