All Quiet on the Western Front: Character Quotes
Directions: For each quote given, analyze the speaker’s attitude toward war. (Page numbers are from the Glencoe edition of the novel).
1. Kantorek: “’Won’t you join up, Comrades?’” (page 5)
2. Paul: “For us lads of eighteen they ought to have been mediators and guides to the world of maturity, the world of work. Of duty, of culture, of progress—to the future. We often made fun of them and played jokes on them, but in our hearts we trusted them. The idea of authority, which they represented, was associated in our minds with a greater insight and a more human wisdom. But the first death we saw shattered this belief. We had to recognize that our generation was more to be trusted than theirs. They surpassed us only in phrases and in cleverness. The first bombardment showed us our mistake, and under it the world as they had taught it to us broke in pieces.” (page 6)
3. Muller: “Muller reappears with a pair of airman’s boots. Muller is delighted at the sight of them. He matches their soles against his own clumsy boots and says: “’Will you be taking them with you then, Franz?’” (page 7)
4. Kat: “’You take it from me, we are losing the war because we can salute too well.’” (page 18)
5. Sergeant Major: “’You think you can bring your front-line manners here, what? Well, we don’t stand for that sort of thing. Thank God, we have discipline here!’” (page 73)
6. German teacher: “’Well, how are things out there? You do at least get decent food out there, so I hear. You look well, Paul, and fit. Naturally it’s worse here. Naturally. The best for our soldiers every time, that goes without saying.’” (page 74)
7. Headmaster: “He dismisses the idea loftily and informs me I know nothing about it. ‘The details, yes,’ says he, ‘but this relates to the whole. And of that you are not able to judge. You see only your little sector and so cannot have any general survey. You do your duty, you risk your lives, that deserves the highest honour—every man of you ought to have the Iron Cross—but first of all the enemy line must be broken through in Flanders and then rolled up from the top.’” (page 75)
Assignment: Editorial about War
Consider the comments from your classmates, Crane’s poem “War Is Kind,” editorial opinions, and characters from All Quiet on the Western Front.
Formulate an editorial for the school newspaper in which you present your opinion on the subject of war.
Remember the following points about editorials:
· The purpose of your editorial is to inform. The writer gives careful explanation in presenting his opinion on a complicated issue.
· Create a clear and precise thesis. (Is your opinion of war negative or positive?)
· Gather information that supports your thesis (classmates, editorials, and character quotes from All Quiet on the Western Front).
· Show the opposing side and its weaknesses.
· Body paragraphs support the thesis and are not wishy-washy.
· Beginning and ending are clear and forceful.
· Avoid preaching or attacking others.
· Offer a solution or positive comment at the end.
eseo.edu/~bennett/EdWrite.htm