Paul's Evolution In All Quiet On The Western Front

Pauls Character Evolution in All Quiet on the Western Front

George Santayana states,“Only the dead have seen the end of the war.” Santayna was a Spanish-American philosopher who was also a novelist. He used the quote to counter Woodrow Wilson in his book, Soliloquies in England and Later Soliloquies, this is important because, in All Quiet on the Western Front, the soldiers believe that the people in charge should fight and have to experience the war. Wars would not be as long, there would be less death, and fewer men ruined. Paul narrates the book and tells the story of Paul and his friends' experiences through the war. It shows the grief, friendship, and more parts of the war. In the book, All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Remarques,

He must prioritize what is best for his mentality. “That evening’s work made us more or less content to leave next morning. And an old buffer was placed to describe us as ‘young heroes.’” (Remarque 50) The boys were all at training camp and all experienced his abuse. This was a bonding moment for them and they all contributed. They believed that this was what he deserved and that proves that they all share the mindset of being a soldier. They have been together in the same company for the whole time they have served, and that connection is irreplaceable. If Paul had not gone to war, nothing is saying that he and his school friends would have stayed close, and he would have never met Kat who was a huge role model or even father figure. When Paul goes on leave he is having trouble emotionally with having to go back home and that causes problems. He must turn off his soldier side and become a son and brother. “Mother, what should I answer to that! You would not understand, you could never realize it. And you shall never realize it.”(Remarque 161) Paul is happy to be home but is frustrated by all of the questions. He is on leave and would prefer to not talk about the pain and suffering of the war. Paul is struggling with feeling at home as he has spent so much time away, and has already had close friends die and seen horrific things, why would he want to relive that? Especially because it is his mother, he doesn't want to explain the awful parts of the war. He then decides to lie to her. His father also questions him and this is hard for Paul because he just wants to put his experiences aside and enjoy his time at home. He isn’t as comfortable with his family compared to his comrades. This is because he can’t relate to them anymore. After all, he is not the same person he once was. He can’t interact with his mother, father, or sister like he used to. The shared lifestyle of him and his comrades is