Erich Maria Remarque, the author of All Quiet on the Western Front successfully conveys many of his views on war to the reader. Remarque tells the story of Paul Baumer, a twenty-year-old German soldier who enlists with many of his classmates into the German infantry of World War one. Through the story of Paul Baumer, Remarque portrays many of his own views on war and can vividly explain these views to the reader. Throughout the story Remarque shows the personal struggles, devastation, and change that a soldier experiences from fighting in the trenches of World War one.
             Remarque's views on war can not be classified as the stereotypical feelings toward war that are often portrayed by other war novels. Remarque shows that war is more then just brutal fighting and death that is so often told about. The author explains that war is something much more powerful, which can change a person's feelings and personality forever. Remarque often and clearly explains how soldiers from opposing army's do not necessarily hate each other, but rather many times Remarque shows the compassion and a form of love that is shared between enemies. Remarque explains that on a different time and day, two soldiers who would kill each other at first sight during war, could very well be great friends with love for one another.
             Remarque has shown an example of this when Paul Baumer is trapped in a shell hole in between the trenches. Baumer encounters a French soldier who jumps for cover in the same shell hole, and Baumer is forced to stab the French soldier. As Baumer lies next to the French man, he feels sorrow and compassion for the dying soldier. As Baumer lies with the man he just killed, he promises himself that he would write to the dead man's wife; and explain what has happened and the regret he feels for her husbands death. Another example of this type of feeling is when Baumer interacts with the Russian prisoners
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