Chapters 1:

1. What is the setting of the story?

The setting of the story is in a camp that is close to the front line. 

2. What does Paul say about men like Kantorek?

Paul says that men that are like Kantorek think that what they are doing is right. They also try and do it in ways that are not harmful to themselves.

3. What did the first bombardment and the first killing do to Paul's faith in the adult world?

 The first bombing and bombardment make Paul give up on the world and start saying how corrupted it is.

4. Is this story necessarily just about Germans?

The story talks about Germans but is not only about them because it discusses human life.

5. What is the mood or atmosphere of the story?

The mood of the story is chaos and depression and men trying to survive.

6. What is one theme of the story so far?

One of the themes of the war is how destructive it is.

7. What does the theft of Kemmerich's watch represent?

His watch represented his life before the war, the theft of it represents how the war stole his normal life from him.

Chapter 2:

1. Why does Paul's generation feel that it is a wasteland?

He feels this because his generation never established themselves and they have nothing to live for.

2. What kind of person is Himmlestoss?

Himmlestoss is a corrupted mand who abuses his power because he has a lowly job in life outside of the war.

3. What have been two important results of Paul's military training?

The first is that it awakened a sense of the ability to handle stress and the second to not break down.

4. What is the significance of Kemmerich's death scene?

It dramatizes the sense of death in war and it makes Paul look at life differently.

5. What is the irony in the comment, "We are the Iron youth?"

The irony is that the youth are shown as people who dont remember things from their life.

6. What kind of character is Paul?

Paul is the kind of character that realizes what war does to people.

Chapter 3

1. For what does Katzcinsky have a reputation?

His reputation is that he can find food no matter where he is.

2. How does Kropp think wars should be fought?

Kropp thinks the war should be fought in a festival sort of way.

3. What were Himmelstoss's drill exercises?

The recruits had to change railroad tracks and dive under their beds.

4. What had been Himmelstoss's profession before the war?

He was a lowly postman.

5. What does Kropp say happens to little men like Himmelstoss when they get stars or stripes?

They abuse their power because it doesnt come very often for them.

6. What reason does Kropp give for officers' making drill exercises so difficult?

Theyre part of the Iron law and soldiers must go through them under all circumstances.

Chapter 4:

1. What is the importance of the "earth to a soldier?"

The earth gives a soldier a place to dig and a place to live and it gives them resources.

2. What influence does the front have on soldiers?

It changes the way that the soldiers behave, it makes them more barbaric.

3. What two situations in battle serve a comic relief from the grim battle being waged?

The French rockets look like fireworks, and when the younger recruits make mistakes they find it funny.

4. What does the death of the horses represent?

It represents the cruel environment of the war.

5. What does the graveyard scene say about the value of human life?

The value of men is not worth very much, and it is more important as a whole.

6. Why is this such an important chapter in the novel?

It changes the mental values of the soldiers because they make the decision to kill the soldier.

Chapter 5:

1. How does the first sentence tell us that the mood of the this chapter will be very different than that of the previous chapter? 

It changes from a respect for human life, to the sudden massacre of many people.

2.  What do the following pan to do after the war is over:

     a. Kropp Hes going to go back home.

     b. Detering- Hes going to go back to his farm and family.

     c. Haie- Hes going to become an army official and get a girl.

3. What does Muller try to make them realize about their goals?

He tries to make them realize that their goals are not meaningful.

4. Why does Kropp feel that "The has war ruined us for everything?"

He thinks that the war will end, but continue long after they die.

5. How does Paul explain his close relationship with Kat?

He explains it by saying that they are like brothers and closer than married couples.

Chapter 6:

1. How does the first paragraph of this chapter indicate that the mood of this chapter will be different than the previous one?

The mood changes because it foreshadows their death, but they laugh about it.

2. The front was referred to as a whirlpool.  What does Paul call it now?

Paul calls it a dug-out now.

3.  Why is "Chance" capitalized?

It personifies their luck because they havent been killed.

4. What does the incident about rats say about how man compares to the animals?

They are acting different than they normally would because they are killing the rats to save their food.

5. How do new recruits react to their first combat?

The new recruits become confused.

6. Paul longs for his youth, but what does he realize about it?

He realizes that his youth was dull, and that he did not enjoy it.

Chapter 7:

1. Baumer says the men become animals at the front.  What do they become when they rest?

They become happy and start making jokes.

2. What is Paul's attitude about those who die?

Hes indifferent to them because hes seen so many deaths throughout the war already.

3. Why do the men make jokes?

They make jokes to get their minds off the problems of war.

4. How does Paul feel when he first enters his home?  When he talks to his mother?

He feels out of place, and he cant make any connection with his mother.

5. How do his father's and mother's attitudes toward his fighting differ?

His parents want to know about his war experiences, but he doesnt want to share them.

6. What does his room represent to Paul?

It represents his youth memories, but he cant remember them.

7. Who is Boettcher? Who was he?

He is the school porter, he used to be a model.

8. What does Paul tell Kemmerich's mother?

He tells her that Kemmerich died without pain or suffering.

9. Why is he willing to swear a lie?

Because he has nothing to lose.

10. Why does Paul regret having been on leave?

Because of the pain it causes him and his parents when he leaves.

Chapter 8: 

1. What description in this chapter proves to Paul that he is no longer indifferent, but that he is sensitive?

He gives the prisoners two of the cakes that his mother made for him.

2. Are the descriptions of the Russian prisoners sympathetic or unsympathetic?

They are described with sympathy.

3. According to Paul, how do the Russians seem different from the Germans?

They dont seem different from the Germans.

4. According to Paul what has made these "silent figures" his enemies and what could make them his friends?

The war made them enemies and he can make them friends.

Chapter 9:

1. What has changed about his regiment when Paul returns?

His friends are still alive, and the Kaiser is coming to visit them, so they all get new clothes and the camp gets cleaned up.

2. Why is Paul disappointed in the Kaiser?

He sees the Kaiser isnt the strong person he envisioned him to be.

3. What do the men conclude about the causes of war?

They conclude wars are made to have the leaders in the history books.

4. What happens to Paul as he is out on patrol?

Paul gets lost.

5. What thoughts does he have as he lies in the "bowl?"

He goes insane with guilt.

6. How does Paul react differently to this killing than to the others?

Gerard is the first person he killed himself.

7. What contrast does the author draw at the end of the chapter when Paul returns to his lines?

He becomes guilty about his murder so he is different than the regime.

Chapter 10:

1. What assignment are Paul and his comrades given?

They have to guard a supply waste dump.

2. What criticisms are made of the war-time medical practices?

They dont save peoples lives, they just delay the death.

3. Why does Paul say the war is a glorious time for surgeons?

The surgeons always have a job because there are so many injuries.

4. How does the hospital show "what war is?"

Its full of victims from the war.

5. To what is a soldier's knowledge of life limited?

Its limited to his life in the military, not his life in the real world.

Chapters 11-12

1. Why does Tjaden eat fast?

Because he could be killed at any moment.

2. What happened to Detering?

He deserts the army and goes home, then he is captured and charged with treason.

3. What is ironic about the factory owners in Germany?

Theyre getting wealthy because of the money made from the war machines, and the soldiers are starving.

4. What is the only thing the men have to look forward to?

Theyre looking forward to the end of the war.

6. How does Paul react to Kat's death?

Hes shocked by the death of his friend, and goes into a state of shock.

7. Why is Paul no longer afraid?

Because even though he didnt leave a mark in his life his generation will.

8. What is the irony of the book's final sentence?

He was glad that the end had come because it only brought him pain.