Bonds of War: Soldier bonds in “All Quiet on the Western Front” Anonymous 11th Grade

In stressful situations, people use connections with things to help them overcome the horrors in the situations. In the Military, many soldiers experience very stressful and intense situations. They use connections with cigarettes, fellow soldiers and music to help them get through these situations. In society, people use drugs, alcohol, and friends to help get through intense situations. Paul uses the connection with soldiers on both sides to help him overcome the horrors of war. In the novel, “All Quiet on the Western Front” by Erich Maria Remarque Paul Bäumer experiences the German front of World War One. Through the devastation of the war, the author conveys that Paul’s strong bonds grow as his pity for the enemy’s misfortune grows, Paul’s relationship with soldiers as it is his only thing to hold on to in the horrors of war on the front reflects the author’s negative view on the war.

The bond between Paul and his fellow comrades strengthen throughout the novel, this conveys a negative depiction of war. After they return from the front, Paul’s comrade Kemmerich is slowly dying and is in pain, Paul and his friends get the attention of a medical assistant to ease the pain, “he refuses...I press a few more cigarettes into his...