Developing Paul in All Quiet on the Western Front
             Throughout the course of a novel sophisticated authors are able to
             send a character on an influential journey that changes his of her outlook or
             attitude towards life. In the novel All Quiet on the Western Front, the
             author, Erich Maria Remarque demonstrates his literary capability by making
             obvious developments in Paul, the protagonist. Paul is mutated mentally,
             physically and morally resultant of the horrific events which he endures
             Wasting no time, Remarque introduces Paul to the truly horrific
             elements of war. Paul has just arrived on the front lines the stage is set. A
             horrifying strike conducted by the resilient English troops. His young naive
             eyes were immediately changed. Instantaneously he thinks back and realizes
             the lies, about war, that were taught to him in school. His initial experience
             shatters any misconceptions he had formerly. Paul says that "the first
             bombardment showed us our mistake and under it the world as they had
             taught it to break us to pieces"(45). It is at this point that Paul realizes
             that the war that he expected to win effortlessly turned out to be a never
             ending hell. This momentous event sparked a change in Paul's attitude about
             the war and prepared him mentally for the altering experiences that lie
             ahead. Paul has begun his short, but tragic journey into adulthood as he
             learns to cope with the trials and tribulations of war.
             As the war wears on Paul becomes hardened towards the horrific
             scenes of terror. After many attacks and bombardments Paul views
             wounded or dead soldiers as "indifferent"(87). After all, "a man gets used to
             that sort of thing in the army"(269). Paul learns to block out the brutal
             "child-like cries of the wounded"(287) from chipping away at his sanity.
             Over time, soldiers become "insensible dead men"(116) molded...