Kantorek said that they were the Iron Youth, and that fighting in the war would be patriotic. All those false hopes and dreams that Paul had were shattered by the end of the novel, All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque. Paul thought that war would be like many books written about it, the classic romantic notions of war. Soon enough Paul was numb and apathetic after the struggles and harshness of true war.
             Towards the beginning of the novel Paul and his classmates feel a sense of urgency to join the cause to fight. Right now Paul is just a teenager in school and does not have his place in society. He needs to feel like he's wanted and needed somewhere. The true realization of war has not come for Paul yet because "these are wonderfully carefree hours..."(9). Paul "could sit like this forever."(9) and enjoy the serene and placid nature surrounding him for the time being. Paul has yet to experience the viciousness and brutality of what actually occurs on the front. There were no worries at the time, and all was going quite well. After being relieve, Paul was glad and joyous because he almost met his death along with his comrades. "It might have easily have happened that we should not be sitting here on our boxes to-day."(10) For Paul and his comrades, "everything is new and brave..."(10) again. Soon enough Paul learned that his hopes of being someone in this world were all false hopes, and that Kanotrek's speeches were also a facade. "... no one had the vaguest idea what we were in for. The wisest were just the poor and simple people. They the war to be a misfortune, whereas those who were better off, and should have been able to see more clearly what the consequences would be, were beside themselves with joy."(11) As you can see Paul is describing this "war" so far as nothing but an amusing experience, but soon enough Paul's view on this will...