Chapter 4: All Quiet On the Western Front

How does arrival at the front affect the soldier's physical appearance?

No expression, eyes are tense, heightened alertness, sharpening of the senses, animal instincts

What does the cry of the wounded horses represent?

The moaning of the world (the innocent are affected).

What happens to the corpses in the cemetery?

Their coffins are thrown up and the men throw the corpses out to hide in their coffins (ironic: die a second time so the living doesn't have to die a first to be put back in a coffin again but their's).

What symbolism does the earth have for the soldiers?

(Stability) They protect themselves by burring themselves in "her". "Brother, mother, friend, protection."

What allows a man to survive?

Animal instinct.

What will gas to do a person?

Causes you to suffocate "choke to death with hemorrhages and suffocation."

What is ironic about using the cemetery as cover?

If they die they will be buried in a cemetery (might die at war). The cemetery represents death which they are fighting to avoid just that.

What do Kat and Paul nearly do the recruit with the hip wound? Why?

Put him out of his misery by shooting him, but people start to show up so they don't.

What must be done on a wiring fatigue?

Put up wire fence on the front.

Why does Paul say the rain falls on their hearts?

Sadness from the death of their comrades, symbol is rain falling from their hearts, crying on the inside