In All Quiet on the Western Front Eric Marie Remarque wrote this book to
             stress the effects that war had upon people. How it shattered lives, dreams and
             ambitions. How the "older" generations tried to make war sound so promising,
             and glorious, while all along they were lying to themselves about how war really
             was. Certain characters are used to highlight these points. These people all had
             First, was Detering is one of Paul 's close friends in the Second Company. He
             has a wife and a farm at home. A few months prior to the end of the war,
             Detering is stricken with shell shock and a wave of homesickness. He deserts the
             army only to be captured and is tried as a deserter. His punishment is to be
             court-martialed . Paul and his friends never hear anything more from Detering
             after that. It is likely that he is executed or sent to prison for desertion.
             Second, Kemmerich is one of Paul's classmates. In the early scenes of the
             novel, we learn that he has suffered a light wound. However, the wound turns
             gangrenous, and his leg has to be amputated. The amputation does not save his
             life, and he dies a painful, senseless death. The tears are still on his face when
             they carry his body away. Paul cannot bring himself to tell Kemmerich's mother
             the truth about Kemmerich's death. This effects Paul because he is forced to
             emotionally withdraw himself from the war, and the aftermath of the war.
             Third, Albert Kropp is one of Paul's classmates. He serves with Paul in the
             Second Company. He is one of Paul's closest friends during the war. While they
             were marching a swoop of air blows by; however this is not just air, but it is a
             sort of weapon. Causing Kropp a wound just above his knee. His leg must be
             amputated from the thigh. He becomes suicidal as a result of his injury. Paul
             arranges to recuperate in the same hospital as Kropp because he receives a
             wound at the same time. Th...