Character Analysis

David Colbert
Character Analysis
Oct. 3, 2012

Paul Bäumer

                When reading the novel I developed quite an intrigue for Paul Bäumer. He came into the war after being goaded by his elders at a young age. Having experienced no other aspects of life, Paul developed an inhuman mindset shutting off all thoughts about the war and emotion. Through the book we see what the war has taken a youth from his home and thrust him into a terrifying war scene. This creates an odd tension in the mind of this young man who has ultimately never experienced anything of the “real” world other than this being a full time soldier. We can see through this militant evolution that Paul becomes completely separated mentally from everyone, except for his closest friends. However, even this minor connection with others is reduced to nothing as each of his friends die off. Most significantly, when his closest friend Katczinsky dies, all he can do is remark “All is usual. Only the Militiaman Stanislaus Katczinsky has died” (291) and he continues his existence onward.

This lack of humanity is once again revealed when Paul returns home in chapter 7. We are shown that he is disconnected from this “past” and that he feels misplaced among the people of his hometown.  We see that Paul tries to make a connection with who he was before he was sent to the Western Front. However, despite trying to reinvigorate this life, he is unable to cross the void. It can be deduced that the life of this young man has been permanently altered, with no return from the mental bedlam. Nonetheless, we see that this abrupt change in mind leaves Paul wanting to have his past back. And so, it becomes a miserable existence of wanting something that is unattainable. In the end, Paul regrets ever having gone home on leave to face who he was.

                While this animalistic war engorged mindset has over encumbered Paul, we see glimpses of the human inside at specific moments. For instance, when Paul encounters the Russian prisoners as a guard, he begins to reflect on the minor differences between them and himself. He notices that there is no real reason that they should be enemies aside from the preaching of political leaders. However, this thought is quickly suppressed for fear of this notion entertaining and spurring up “harmful” emotions.

                In the end, Paul is a character torn between two worlds. A child torn from youth forced to see the world in a dark scheme. Sapped of his life and having it replaced with killer instincts, Paul, in the end is left to die.

Source:

Remarque, E. M. (2000). All quiet on the western front. (1st ed ed.). New York: The Random House Publishing Group.