Paul Baumer - Character Analysis

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Personality

Role

  • Bitter towards those in roles of authority
  • Remains calm in the face of danger
  • Values comradeship above all else, it is all he feels he has gained and all he has left to console him.
  • Narrator, Protagonist, used to convey Remarque's thoughts and feelings about war
  • Used in the novel to challenge the ideas of patriotism and the romanticized ideals of war and dying in the name of your country.

Development (Growth & change)

Other information              

  • Gradual breakdown of psychological defenses as the war goes on
  • Changes to attitudes about patriotism and authority
  • Changes from a boy to a man
  • Changes from a man to a soldier
  • Changes from a soldier to a 'human animal'.
  • 'Suddenly we found ourselves horribly alone - and we had to come to terms with it alone as well.' - p.9
  • 'Young men? That was a long time ago. We are old now.' - p.13
  • ' "Have you seen the kids?" ' - p.25
  • 'The madness, the tempest of an existence that had practically been torn to shreds.' - p.39
  • 'We have turned into human animals.' - p.39
  • 'We have a greater and more gentle consideration for each other than I should think even lovers do.' - p.66
  • 'We are dead men with no feelings.' - p.80

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