All Quiet on the Western Front--Close Reading Envelope Activity
Each of you will be given an envelope with one close reading topic on it. Throughout your reading of the novel, you are to copy passages onto strips of paper and put them in your envelope. (You should also annotate these passages.)
You will meet periodically in groups to share the contents of your envelope and discuss why the passage was selected and the effect of the quoted passage on the meaning of the work as a whole.
1. Patriotism/nationalism
Some people have an unquestioning love for their country. However, Thomas Jefferson said, “Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.” In the novel, look for evidence that patriotism is either a positive or a negative aspect of being a citizen. Is nationalism any different?
2. The Horror or futility of war
Sun Tzu said that war is sometimes necessary, and that peace is, after all, the ultimate goal of war. Trace evidence that war is futile, and try to find evidence that war is necessary.
3. Home vs. Front
In much literature, going home is going to safety. Here, the boys behave differently at the front (and training) than they do at home—trace the differences throughout the novel. Note how their behavior changes at the front as the novel progresses, and how their behavior changes at home.
4. Comradeship
Shakespeare’s Henry V said that soldiers going into battle together are brothers: “we few, we happy few, we band of brothers, for he that shed his blood with me shall be my brother.” Trace elements that living through horrific conditions make soldiers become like brothers.
5. The Earth
The Earth (especially with the image of Mother Earth) is often seen as protector of man—it not only protects, but it nourishes. Trace evidence that the Earth is the ultimate protector of man.
6. Fate
Men and women at war often believe that when their time is up, it’s up, and there’s little they can do. In this sense, they are destined—trace elements in the novel that suggest the men are destined, and conversely, find elements that suggest they create their own paths.
7. Heroism vs. Cowardice
When Col. Winter, a decorated a soldier in WWII whose story was chronicled in the book and miniseries Band of Brothers, was asked if he thought he was a hero, he always answered, “Nope, but I sure served with plenty of ‘em!” Trace elements in the novel that will help define whether a man is a hero or a coward.