All+Quiet+on+the+Wester+Front

Grahame Geissler


 * All Quiet on the Western Front**

Remarque, Erich Maria, (1928/1982__). All Quiet on the Western Front__. New York: Ballantinebooks.

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Jm38XQDUMI&feature=youtu.be Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5dSuGA2IbI&feature=youtu.be Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWlEthtm_0M
 * Youtube**

//All Quiet on the Western Front// describes a young soldier, Paul, and his experiences over the course of two years serving in the German army on the western front during World War I. The story revolves around five friends that fight together in the same squad. These individuals all share common experiences through the war and growing up in general. Among these experiences include such activities as fight, playing pranks, picking up girls, and experiencing the loss of friends. The story concludes with Paul being the sole survivor but eventually meets his end.
 * Summary**

The novel constantly skips around between the present and flashbacks to Paul’s life before the war in which the protagonist is often contemplating how starkly different his life has changed from graduating high school to being enlisted in the army. These differences are a common theme throughout the novel as Paul tries to understand the changes that have both happened to himself and his fellow soldiers.

While some middle school classes read //All Quite on the Western Front// in middle school, I am unsure if it is appropriate for this age group. While the level of reading is not very difficult, particularly for eight –graders, many of the concepts maybe too complex for younger students. For example, when the protagonist returns home on leave after serving in the front for two years, he finds himself unable to communicate with this family and neighbors due to their inability to comprehend his experiences at the front. Also, Paul and his friends often find themselves wondering what they will do after the war, particularly what kind of career to pursue as a way to fill the void in their lives. However, they all agree that no career will ever be as filling as combat and the constant pressures of the front.
 * Critique**

However, there are many things that older middle school students will enjoy. Certainly, the battle scenes, which are graphic, and I’d imagine, paint a realistic picture to the horrors of war. Also, some of the experiences throughout the novel can certainly be relatable, interest in the opposite sex and the inability to fully communicate with family for example. Indeed, Paul feels closer to his friends than anyone else which is certainly something middle grades students can relate too.

On the whole I’d recommend this book for eight to tenth graders. Particularly, for mature eight graders, because it could be utilized to prepare those students for high school literature and history.


 * Different Content Areas**
 * This novel would be good for language arts due to the nature of the narration. The author is very introspective and describes many experiences and emotions that many middle grades students can relate to.
 * Language arts could also take advantage of the vocabulary, which is not to challenging for students due to context clues.
 * Language arts could benefit for the perspective of the story told by a German soldier on the losing side. This could offer a unique opportunity for students to understand where an author is coming from.
 * Social studies could benefit from the context of the novel and how it is presented. Many historic events are described and students could gain an understanding of how history affects individuals on a personal level.
 * Math and Science would not benefit from reading the whole novel. However, reading certain chapters could help students in some way. For example, a math teacher could read a chapter about artillery to gain students interests and then teach arcs and angles through the example of artillery shells. A science teacher could read a chapter on the hospitals or gas masks to demonstrate new technologies and practices.