Camaraderie In All Quiet On The Western Front

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Fraternity and fellowship are essential in facing the facets of war distress. Even in conflict, the complete opposite of fellowship, one needs allies and supporters to fight against a common adversary. Being recognized as the most famous novel on war and opposition, All Quiet on the Western Front is a perfect example of esprit de corps, or camaraderie. Camaraderie has importance in the novel because it aids in preserving the soldiers’ humanity, provides morale to the soldiers, and constantly improves the soldiers’ lives. Camaraderie provides and maintains the soldiers’ humanity. The horrors of the war are so damaging that without friendships and diversity in the soldiers’ lives, humanity may easily be lost, especially considering the primal …show more content…

The soldiers were in the harshest possible conditions of World War I, yet they did not abandon one another. While Kemmerich is on the verge of death, Paul and Müller remain by his side in order to prolong his sanity and consciousness. Paul sits near him until his last breath while wondering “what to say to encourage him” (28). There are countless moments when the soldiers protect each other on the battlefront as well. A specific example is when Paul attempts to carry Katczinsky to safety after being severely injured in a battle, risking his own safety. Examples like these where camaraderie and friendship deem beneficial to human lives and health are evident in the modern world as well. Today, group therapy is a major treatment method for Post-traumatic stress disorder and depression patients. PTSD patients are also encouraged to consider living with a loved one or owning a comforting pet for improved recovery (WebMD). Camaraderie is a major contributing factor in preserving the soldiers’ physical and mental well-being and overall preserving their lives. All Quiet on the Western Front revolves around the importance of camaraderie in a state of war and distress. Although the novel is most famous for describing the realities, horrors, and destruction of war, it embraces the ideas of fraternity and mutual support as well. The importance of camaraderie is expressed in the novel by aiding in preserving the soldiers’ humanity, providing increased morale to the soldiers, and improving the soldiers’ lives and

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