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?
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Why are the men interested in the theater poster?
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How does Paul feel when he has nothing to remind him of being a soldier?
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Why is Paul unhappy after the evening with the women?
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Why is beer more than just a drink?
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How does the French woman react to Paul's leave?
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How does the red-cross sister act toward Paul?
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Why does Paul cry when he arrives home?
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Why does Paul feel strange in his own home?
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Why does Paul lie to his mother about the reality of war?
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Why do the major and Paul conflict?
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Why does Paul change into civilian clothes?
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Why can't Paul talk to his father about the war?
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What is the headmaster's opinion of the war?
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What does Paul realize about the people around him?
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What happens when Paul tries to retrieve his familiarity with his books?
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How does Mittelstaedt treat Kantorek?
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What is leave to Paul?
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What does Paul tell Kemmerich's mother about her son's death?
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Why can't Paul understand Mrs. Kemmerich's anguish?
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What does Paul wish for as his mother speaks to him on his last night home?
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Why does Paul regret coming home on leave?
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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.