All Quiet on the Western Front Group

Question:

junemay2
junemay2
Student
High School - 12th Grade

In the 3rd chapter of All Quiet On The Western Front, why does Remarque imbue the characters with more complex and rich personalities?

Why is this essential to the novel's purpose and thematic concerns?

Rate question:

Posted by junemay2 on Monday October 5, 2009 at 4:03 PM and tagged with all quiet on the western front, chapter 3, character, character analysis, literature, remarque, three.

Answers:

  1. thewritingteacher
    thewritingteacher Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    One of the advantages of have a limited first-person narrator is the opportunity for the reader to leanr along with the character. The first two chapters are Paul's acclamation to military action and his transition from school boy to soldier.

    By chapter three, however, Paul is ready to begin forming relationships with the soldiers in his division. A number of his school-mates have either died or gone different directions, and his family is far away. The men in his division become both friends and family. As such, Paul begins to uncover the personalities of each one. As Paul becomes attached to each, so does the reader, making the death of each one more profound.

    Remarque uses his limited narrator to manipulate the emotions of the reader, and in doing so, makes his anti-war message stronger.

     

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/quiet-western/part-summary
    http://www.enotes.com/quiet-western/style

    Rate answer:

    Posted by thewritingteacher on Monday October 5, 2009 at 6:04 PM