Student Question
What is the earth compared to in All Quiet on the Western Front?
Quick answer:
In All Quiet on the Western Front, the earth is compared to a source of safety and protection for soldiers. Paul describes how shell holes and trenches, formed in the earth, provide shelter during battles. This comparison highlights the soldiers' reliance on the earth for survival amidst the chaos of war, reflecting Paul's deep respect for nature and its role in safeguarding them in combat.
In Chapter 4 of All Quiet on the Western Front, Paul describes the nature of the earth. He says that the earth provides the soldiers with shelter and a place of safety. He comments on the shell holes that get blown into the earth that later serve as places of protection when the men are on the battlefield. Similarly, Paul describes the trenches that the soldiers prepare to provide safety during combat. Thus, Paul compares the earth to elements of safety and protection with which he is familiar. As evidenced in other parts of the novel, Paul has deep respect for the earth and nature in general, and here he explores this by citing its benefits to the soldier during war.
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