All Quiet on the Western Front Chapter 7 Study Guide

Questions and Answers

How do Himmelstoss and the men reconcile?

Himmelstoss tries to make amends with the boys by becoming the new sergeant-cook and treats the men to special meals.

Why do the soldiers forget about the front-line fighting when they are behind the lines?

Paul reflects on habit and how it obliterates memory; with food and rest, the days at the front hardly exist in their minds.

Why do the men only rest behind the front?

It's a habit they have developed.

What does Paul say will happen with memories of the front after the war?

Paul thinks memories of the war will be vague and surreal. Signup and view all the answers

Why are the men interested in the theater poster?

It showcases a beautiful girl, highlighting their longing for beauty, romance, and cleanliness. Signup and view all the answers

How does Paul feel when he has nothing to remind him of being a soldier?

Paul feels out of place. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Paul unhappy after the evening with the women?

He knows he can never have a girl because he is eventually going to die. Signup and view all the answers

Why is beer more than just a drink?

It is a token that a man can move his limbs and stretch in safety. Signup and view all the answers

How does the French woman react to Paul's leave?

She is indifferent to Paul's departure. Signup and view all the answers

How does the red-cross sister act toward Paul?

She acts as if she has a connection with him. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Paul cry when he arrives home?

He is overwhelmed by feelings of being home, with his family, and seeing his sick mother. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Paul feel strange in his own home?

His experiences have made him a different person and he feels most at home with his comrades on the field. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Paul lie to his mother about the reality of war?

His mother is sick, and the reality would be too brutal and graphic. Signup and view all the answers

Why do the major and Paul conflict?

The major reprimands Paul for not saluting properly. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Paul change into civilian clothes?

He wants to avoid standing out in public after the altercation with the major. Signup and view all the answers

Why can't Paul talk to his father about the war?

He fears revealing too much and that his father won't understand his experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What is the headmaster's opinion of the war?

The headmaster is optimistic and believes they will break through to Paris soon. Signup and view all the answers

What does Paul realize about the people around him?

They can't stop asking questions about things they cannot comprehend. Signup and view all the answers

What happens when Paul tries to retrieve his familiarity with his books?

He realizes that he cannot bring back the feelings and hopes he had before the war. Signup and view all the answers

How does Mittelstaedt treat Kantorek?

Mittelstaedt torments Kantorek during exercises. Signup and view all the answers

What is leave to Paul?

A pause that only makes everything after it so much worse. Signup and view all the answers

What does Paul tell Kemmerich's mother about her son's death?

He tells her that he was with Kemmerich when he died and that it was instant. Signup and view all the answers

Why can't Paul understand Mrs. Kemmerich's anguish?

He is numb to violence and death because of his experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What does Paul wish for as his mother speaks to him on his last night home?

He wishes he were a child and could be comforted by her. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Paul regret coming home on leave?

He goes from indifference to seeing the agony of himself and his mother. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Reconciliation and Relationships

Himmelstoss attempts to make amends by becoming the new sergeant-cook and preparing special meals for the men.
Paul is willing to forgive Himmelstoss after he helps Haie when injured.
Post-war life leads Paul to believe that memories of battle will become vague, with camaraderie being the most significant memory.

Life Behind the Lines

Soldiers forget front-line experiences during rest due to habit and the comforts of food and relaxation.
Time spent at the rear transforms the men into "loafers," as they indulge in this brief respite from warfare.

Emotional Disconnect

Paul feels a disconnect when he has no reminders of being a soldier, struggling to adapt to a different identity.
After spending time with women, Paul experiences deep sadness knowing he may not survive the war to build a relationship.

Escape Mechanisms

Beer symbolizes safety and freedom from the stresses of battle, allowing soldiers to feel alive and mobile.
Displays of beauty in a theater poster starkly contrast the soldiers' grimy existence, highlighting their disconnection from cleanliness and romance.

Homecoming Challenges

Upon returning home, Paul is overwhelmed with emotions, especially concerning his sick mother.
Paul feels like a stranger in his own home, finding it surreal due to the transformative nature of his war experiences.
He lies to his mother about the war's brutality to shield her from distress, believing the truth would be too painful.

Conflicts and Tensions

Tensions arise between Paul and a major over military formalities, leading Paul to change into civilian clothes to blend in.
Paul struggles with communicating his war experiences to his father, fearing his father would not understand the gravity of his trauma.

Observation of Society

The headmaster shows naive optimism about the war, believing in an imminent victory.
Paul realizes the people around him do not comprehend the realities of war and are plagued with unanswered questions.

Literature and Loss of Innocence

Paul attempts to reconnect with books but finds he cannot rediscover the hopes he once had before the war.
Mittelstaedt mocks Kantorek during military exercises, quoting his patriotic rhetoric as an act of revenge.

Concept of Leave

For Paul, leave represents a painful pause, heightening his sense of dread for what lies ahead.
He lies to Kemmerich's mother, claiming her son died instantly, knowing the truth of his suffering contradicts this lie.

Numbness and Survival

Paul struggles to empathize with Mrs. Kemmerich’s grief due to his desensitization to death.
His experiences on the front have hardened his heart, creating an emotional barrier necessary for survival.

Regrets and Longing

As his last night at home unfolds, Paul longs for the innocence of childhood and the comfort of his mother.
Ultimately, Paul regrets returning home, as the pain of separation and shared suffering with his mother adds to his anguish.

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Description

This study guide covers key themes and character interactions in Chapter 7 of 'All Quiet on the Western Front'. It includes important questions regarding relationships between Himmelstoss and the soldiers, as well as insights into their experiences away from the front lines. Perfect for deepening your understanding of the chapter's critical moments.