AQOTWF End Reflection

1. What is ironic, or dramatically unexpected about the novel's ending?

I thought he wasn't going to die. I thought he was going to have to live with all the pain like many people do. However, he died when it was all quiet on the western front! This shows how Remarque really feels about his life. He knows that he's not going to kill himself (life is too valuable) but he wouldn't mind to die, since he won't have the pain and memories anymore. But, it is very ironic that he would die at a time when the war became a lot less intense. He was a soldier, that made it through the heat of war virtually untouched, and ends up dying when the war is calm.

2. What images of the novel are lingering in your mind? Explain why these images made a lasting impression on you.

Many of his thoughts, feelings and images really affected me. I liked his human animal analogy, and also when he noticed that he wouldn't hesitate to kill his father if he was on the opposing side - war is that powerful! Some of the images and memories I liked were when he had to end a French soldier's life and decided to send money to his family (if he would live) and also when a German soldier became paranoid and started banging his head on the wall.


3. Do you think Paul can claim to speak for an entire "lost generation" when he speaks of the effects of war? In Paul's opinion war ruins those who survive as must as those who die. Do you think his fellow soldiers felt the same way about war?

Thanks for Remarque, we get to see the true side of war for a soldier. It definitely portrays the overall feeling of the war for the "lost generation." Remarque stresses that it's actually worse to live than die. However, Paul's experience was actually less intense than other. He said enough with his happy death. For other soldiers, their experience might have been twice as painful and fearful.