Chapter 1
Before reading the book, Erich Maria Remarque had an important message for us.
The preface of the book says "This book is neither to be an accusation nor a confession, and least of all an ____________________"
adventure
Corporal Himmelstoss was the training officer for Paul and his friends at boot camp. What was his job prior to the war?
Himmelstoss was a postman.
Kat was a cobbler before joining the military. But what is he exceptinoally good at?
Why did Paul and his friends try to take cover in a graveyard during a surprise bombardment?
The other options were the field (too open) or the woods (too far away).
"All over, kid! It's all right this time. You'll get used to it soon."
Paul Baumer
While in the hospital tent, someone stole something from Kemmerich. What was it?
His watch
Why did Himmelstoss's troops dislike him so much?
He was the stricted commander at the camp and went out of his way to brutally punish Paul and his friends.
Why does Tjaden have a particular grudge against Himmelstoss?
Himmelstoss punished and humiliated Tjaden for wetting the bed. He found another soldier that also wets the bed and made them bunk together so that they ended up peeing on each other in their sleep.
The 2nd company is being sent up on wiring fatigue. Explain wiring fatigue.
The soldiers need to secretly move past the front to lay down barbed wire ahead of their trench in order to protect it.
"Give 'em all the same grub and all the same pay And the war would be over and done in a day."
Katczinsky
Who did not visit Kemmerich and why?
Katczinsky, Tjaden, Detering, and Haie Westhus did not visit Kemmerich because they did not grow up with him.
Paul and Kropp finally reached a breaking point with Himmelstoss. What did they do to him and what happened after?
Paul and Kropp "accidentally" spilled a latrine bucket on Himmelstoss. When Himesltoss threatened to report and punish them, Kropp threatened to report Himelstoss's unjust behavior. Himmelstoss backed down.
What news does Tjaden have about Himmelstoss in chapter 3?
Himmelstoss has been assigned to the front where Paul and his friends are.
Who did Paul try to help during and after the bombardment in Chapter 3 and what ultimately happened to that character?
Paul tried to help the fair headed recruit. The boy was ulimately injured and removed from the field via stretcher.
"I tell you it is the vilest baseness to use horses in the war."
Detering
On their way out of the hospital tent, Kemmerich's friends bribe a nurse to do something. What do they want the nurse to do?
Kemmerich's friends want the nurse to give Kemmerich morphine to ease his pain.
In Paul's opinion, what is the "greatest thing" to come out of their miserable days in training camp?
comradeship
Kropp says that, in war, "the wrong people do the fighting." What does he mean by that?
Wars are fought by common people who don't actually gain from the sacrifices they make. Only the higher-ups actually gain anything and they never have to fight.
What did Paul and Kat want to do to "help" the fair headed recruit.
They wanted to kill him to put him out of his misery. He wasn't going to survive his injuries.
"Won't you join up, Comrades?"
Kantorek
At the end of Chapter 1, Kropp receives a letter. Who is it from?
Kantorek, their old teacher.
Who stays with Kemmerich while he dies and collects his things afterwards?
Paul
How did Paul and his friends get revenge on Himmelstoss for his treatment of them before leaving training camp?
Why was Detering particularly upset in this chapter?
The horses used for war were injured and left to die from their wounds without care.
"Do you think he will last til tomorrow after drill?"
Muller