All Quiet Chapter 1 Discussion Questions · All Quiet Chapter 4 Discussion Questions 1. What is...

All Quiet Chapter 1 Discussion Questions

1. In what language was this book originally written?

2. What important information does the author give us in the epigraph?

3. What is the setting of the novel? What is the point of view? Is the narrator reliable? Why or why not?

4. Provide as many physical personality traits about the main character as you can gather from the first chapter.

5. Why are the men happy at the beginning of the chapter? What events lead to the situation that made the men happy?

6. On page 7, Paul says that “today is wonderfully good”. Is this a normal event for the soldiers? Why or why not?

7. How does Paul feel about bodily functions? Provide a CD to back up your argument.

8. Who is Kantorek and what kind of man is he? How has he influenced Paul and his friends?

9. How does Paul feel about Kantorek and what does this illustrate about his view of war?

10. How is Behm’s death ironic?

11. Is this story told in past or present tense? What methods does Remarque use to provide details about Paul’s life?

12. How does Remarque use description to help prove his ideas about war?

13. Why are the men “fighting” over boots?

14. What do the men think will happen to Kropp?

15. Explain the significance of the following quote: “Yes, what they think...We are old folk” (18).


1. What does Paul have at home in the drawer of his writing table and what does it say about him?

2. In this chapter how does Paul feel about his past?

3. According to Paul, why has the war been so influential to the “Iron Youth”?

4. Analyze the significance of the following quote: “We have lost all sense of...important for us” (21).

5. Who is Corporal Himmelstoss and what kind of man is he? Describe the relationship he has with Paul, Kropp, Tjaden, and Westhus.

6. How does Paul feel about “bootcamp”?

7. Why does Paul lie to Kemmerich about dying? What would you do in Paul’s situation?

8. How does Paul feel about Kemmerich & the possibility that Kemmerich might die?

9. How does Kemmerich respond to the knowledge that he’s going to die?

10. What is the state of the hospital? Give two examples.

11. How does Paul respond to Kemmerich’s death?

12. What happens to Kemmerich’s boots?


1. Where does this chapter take place?

2. Explain the significance of the following quote: “Reinforcements have arrived... ‘Seen the infants?’” (35).

3. How do the men treat the new arrivals?

4. Who is Katczinsky and what kind of man is he?

5. What does Kat bring back for the men? Where does he get it?

6. Why are Kat and Kropp betting and what do they bet?

7. What is happening on pp. 41-42?

8. What is “Change at the Löhne” and why did Himmelstoss make the men do it?

9. What does Kat say about the nature of man on pp. 43-44? How does war affect men and how does it make soldiers treat one another?

10. Why does Tjaden have a “grudge” against Himmelstoss? What do Himmelstoss’ actions illustrate about his character?

11. What do Paul, Kropp, Tjaden, & Westhus do to Himmelstoss before leaving drill?

12. How are their actions towards Himmelstoss ironic?

13. What does the event illustrate about the young men’s character?

14. Give a specific example of how Remarque develops his characters in this chapter.


1. What is happening at the beginning of the chapter?2. How does Paul feel about the front?3. How do the recruits react to the war?4. How does Remarque use literary devices (symbolism, alliteration, parallelism, imagery,

etc.) in this chapter and what does he accomplish by using them?5. What role does description play in this chapter?6. What do the horses symbolize?


1. What is Paul describing at the beginning of chapter 5 and what information does this give us about the conditions the men are in?

2. Why is Himmelstoss at the front?

3. During the discussion about peacetime, how does each man’s response to the question “what would you do?” reflect his personality?

4. Compare and contrast the answers of the older and younger men. What similarities and differences do you find?

5. How do Paul and his friends interact with Himmelstoss and what do their actions symbolize?

6. How do the young men feel about education? Do you agree with them? Why or why not?

7. Why are the young men afraid of peacetime?

8. Explain the significance of the following quote: “He is right...[W]e believe in the war” (88).

9. Why is there a trial in this chapter? What is the result of it?

10. What are Kat and Paul doing on pp. 91-93?

11. What central theme is being developed on p 94?

12. Explain the meaning of the following quote: “We go to our hut... [M]y comrade” (97).

All Quiet Chapter 6 Part 1 Discussion Questions

1. How do the men deal with the knowledge that the coffins are for them? How do you deal with depressing issues or topics?

2. What literary device does Remarque use on p. 101 and what is he discussing?

3. What are the conditions like in the trenches? Make sure to provide two or three details.

4. Why are the men nervous about receiving Edamer cheese and rum?

5. Why are the men waiting on p. 105? What do you predict will happen?

6. Find an example of a simile on p. 106?

7. What happens to a recruit on pp. 109-110? How do Paul and his friends respond?

8. Describe what happens on p. 112.

9. Dissect the following quote and explain the message it portrays: “We have become wild beasts...[A]nd be revenged” (113).

10. Does Remarque’s description of the front feel positive or negative? Is this book a pro-war or antiwar novel?

11. What are the soldiers like in battle? How does Remarque describe their behavior? Does it seem believable? Why or why not?

12. Does Paul feel guilty about how he acts in the battle? Why or why not? What proof do you have?

13. Compare and contrast the quality of life experienced by German and French soldiers. What side would you rather be on and why?


1. What is Paul doing on p. 119?

2. How do memories affect Paul and how does he feel about them?

3. What feelings does Paul express about his past on page 122?

4. The youth who fought in WWI became known as the “Lost Generation”. Why do you think they earned this name? Does Paul feel this way as well?

5. Describe what is happening on pp. 124-125. Why do you think Remarque includes this scene in the book?

6. What happens to the dead after the battle?

7. How do Paul and his friends feel about the recruits?

8. What is the main message/point of the following quote: “How long as it been?...[E]scape death many times” (133).

9. Describe some of the war wounds. Why does Remarque include this gore in his book?

10. What has happened to Second Company since they joined the war? When did they join? Why is this information important and how does it help you better understand WWI?

All Quiet Chapter 7 Pt. 1 Discussion Questions

1. What has caused Himmelstoss to change and how does Paul respond to him?2. How does Paul feel about terror?3. How do the soldiers act after the battle and what reasons does Paul give for their behavior?4. What does Paul think will happen to the men after the war?5. Why are Kropp and Paul so interested in the girl on the poster and why do they want to

get cleaned up?6. Compare and contrast Leer’s and Paul’s experiences and feelings about the French girls.

What do their different experiences/reactions say about each man? 7. How does Paul feel about being home?


1. Describe the encounter that occurs between Paul and a major. Why is it a significant event?

2. How does Paul feel about his father?

3. How do the civilians at home feel about the war? What about the military personnel?

4. How does Paul’s interaction with the military men affect him?

5. Why does Paul prefer to be alone?

6. Does Paul feel that civilians can understand what soldiers have experienced? Why? What do you think?

7. What do Paul’s books symbolize?

8. What is the meaning of the following quote: “A terrible feeling...I must cling to that” (172-173).

9. What news does Paul hear from Mittelstaedt about Kantorek and how does Mittelstaedt treat Kantorek?

10. What does Paul feel about his leave by the end of the chapter and why does he feel this way?

11. How does Kemmerich’s mother react to the news of her son’s death? Why does Paul lie to her?

12. Describe the scene that happens between Paul and his mother. What’s he saying to her and what’s he keeping from himself ? Why doesn’t he share his true feelings?


1. Where is Paul at the beginning of chapter 8?

2. How does Paul feel about nature in chapter 8 and what causes him to feel this way?

3. Compare and contrast the quality of life experienced by the German soldiers and Russian prisoners.

4. What do the Russian prisoners want from the German soldiers and what does this say about the Russians?

5. How does Paul feel about the Russians and why does he interact with them?

6. Explain the meaning and importance of the following quote: “I see their dark forms...pitilessness of men” (193).

7. Explain the meaning and importance of the following quote: “A word of command has...if they were free” (193-194).

8. Why does Paul share his cigarettes with the Russian soldiers?

9. Why is it difficult for Paul to visit with his family before he goes back to the front?

10. What do the potato-cakes symbolize?

11. In this chapter there is an example of juxtaposition (the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect). Locate it, write down the page number (be prepared to read a quote) and explain what effect it has on the book.


1. What is Paul searching for at the beginning chapter 9?

2. How does Paul feel about seeing his friends again?

3. What reactions do Paul and his friends have after seeing the Kaiser?

4. What are the men discussing on pp. 203-204?

5. What does Kat feel about war on p. 205?

6. Why do Paul and his friends have to return their new clothes and what does this say about the war effort and propaganda? Do you think we get accurate information from war zones today?

7. What makes Paul volunteer to go on patrol and why do you think he feels this way?

8. What does Paul struggle with on pp. 210-211?

9. Explain the meaning/message of the following quote: “At once a new warmth flows...will stand by me” (212).

10. What external conflict does Paul experience on pp. 213-214?


1. What happens on p. 116? How does Paul feel about his actions?

2. Why does Paul feel sick on p. 117?

3. How does Paul treat the man in the shell hole? What does this say about Paul’s character?

4. What does the following quote say about Paul’s character? “These hours...I cannot” (221). What would you do in a similar situation?

5. What is Paul doing and thinking about on p. 222? Why does Remarque include this scene in the book?

6. Explain the meaning/message of the following quote: “Comrade, I did not want to kill you...attempt to do with it now” (223).

7. How does Paul react when he learns Gerard Duval’s name? Why is a name so powerful and what does it represent?

8. What does Paul do to restore his sanity? How do you think people in war remain level-headed despite the emotional and physical hardships they face?

9. At the end of the chapter how does Paul feel about killing Gerard Duval? Do you think his feelings are justified? Why or why not?

10. Based on his actions during this chapter, do you respect Paul? Why or why not?


1. What job do Paul and his friends have at the beginning of chapter 10? How does Paul feel about their task?

2. How do Paul and his friends use their time on p. 232 and what inspires their actions?

3. What happens on pp. 233-235 and what does it symbolize?

4. Compare and contrast the potato-pancakes in chapter 8 and the ones in chapter 10. Why are they different and what do each symbolize?

5. Locate, define, and briefly jot down an example of a literary device on p. 237.

6. How do Paul and his friends treat one another while they are on village guard duty?

7. Why do Paul and his friends consider the abandoned village to be luxurious? Is it really such a wonderful place?

8. What second assignment are the men sent on in chapter 10?

9. How are Paul and Albert injured?

10. What will Kropp do if he loses his leg? Why do you agree or disagree with his decision?

11. Why doesn’t Paul want to doctors to chloroform him? How does the surgeon respond to Paul’s request?

12. What does Paul do to ensure that he and Kropp are kept together?

13. Why doesn’t Paul want to get into the bed on the train?

14. Why is Paul embarrassed to ask for help with going to the bathroom?

15. What does Paul do on p. 250 to ensure that he and Kropp stay together? Why does Paul go to such lengths to remain with Kropp?


1. How do Paul and Kropp treat the nuns at the hospital? What does this suggest about their feelings concerning religion?

2. What is a “shooting license” and how does Joseph Hamacher take advantage of it?3. What is the Dying Room and how do the men feel about it?4. How does the chief surgeon feel about the new arrivals with flat feet? What advice does

Joseph give to the new arrivals?5. Explain the feelings Paul expresses about war on pp. 263-264. What is he concerned

about?6. Analyze the following quote: “Parting from my friend Albert Kropp was very hard. But a

man gets used to that sort of thing in the army” (269). What feelings does Paul express here? What tone is being used?

All Quiet Chapters 11-12 Discussion Questions

1. Analyze the following quote and identify the literary device being used: “Our thoughts are clay, they are moulded with the changes of the days...within and without” (271).

2. What has the war done to socioeconomic status differences between the men?

3. Explain the meaning and significance of the following quote: “It is a great brotherhood...but who wants to do that?” (272).

4. How does Paul describe life on p. 273?

5. Using the following quote as a guide, will the book end happily? Why or why not? “I see how it is already gradually breaking down around me” (275).

6. Find two examples of repetition and explain how each is used to enhance the message being expressed.

7. Describe the state of the German army in chapter 11.

8. How is Kat injured and what ends up killing him? How does Paul react to his death?

9. In what tense is this book written? What about the flashbacks?

10. What does Paul predict will happen to his generation?

11. Explain the meaning and significance of the following quote: “I am very quiet...will that is within me” (295).

12. How do you think Paul feels as he dies? What causes this feeling?

13. How is the story’s ending an example of irony?

14. Who narrates the epilogue, in what tense is it written, and why should we care about these two things?

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