Denise Bechtold

Jeff Foster

Maria Mueller

Chapter 5

Talk about the War End

The men talked out what they would each do after or if the war ended. They called it, “Peace – Time.” The first comment made to this was, “There won’t be any peace-time.” You have got to remember the mindset they must be in, they are enduring some much during the war.  Some of the other ideas they mention include; getting drunk, take a train elsewhere, go home and visit family, basically going to see prostitutes, wearing real clothes, and sleeping in a nice bed. This moment of thought lasted a short time before one said, “What silly questions you do ask.” They all thought it was ridiculous and won’t happen.        

The rumors that the men have been hearing are true; Himmelstoss has been brought to the front lines.  As he approaches the men ignore him and disobey rank.   They do not rise and click they’re heels together to him.  Himmelstoss is infuriated by this and demands that Tjaden address his higher rank.  Tjaden does, but in an insubordinate way by mooning him.  Himmelstoss returns to the barracks for the MP’s, as he does Tjaden escapes and hides as he knows this means lock up.  This stand by Tjaden is in response to the degradation that the men endured under Himmelstoss’ reign during training.

                Muller continues with his questioning about what will happen during “peace time”.  They calculate that only 12 men remain from their class of 20 men, 4 are dead, 1 insane, and 7 wounded.  They mock Kantorek and ask questions from school.  This is showing that all that they had “learned” in school means nothing here, and that it is forgotten during these difficult times.  The learning that they had been taught in school as normal “kids” will not be used in their lifetime.  Kropp closes this in stating how the war has destroyed everything for them and that there is no going back to normal, they can believe in nothing but war now.  

                Himmelstoss returns with the sergeant major and demands to know the whereabouts of Tjaden, but the troop refuses to disclose this information.  The sergeant major declares that Tjaden must report within 10 minutes.  With every sentence that Himmelstoss delivers the men torment him.  Himmelstoss returns once more and demands Tjaden, Kropp insults him yet again with harsh words and Himmelstoss storms away.  That evening Kropp and Tjaden are brought to trial for insubordination, Tjaden receives 3 days open arrest and Kropp one after the men from the troop tell the court about the torment and abuse that Himmelstoss put them under during training.  The sergeant major scolds Himmelstoss for his actions in training as well.  Later Paul and the others visit Kropp and Tjaden in lockup and play cards and speak again.

Towards the end of the chapter Kat says to Paul, “What do you say to some roast goose?” after Paul agrees they catch a ride on a munition-wagon which cost them two cigarettes to the spot that Kat has marked. During their little adventure Paul agrees to get the goose and climbs over the wall and goes to the shed to open the door. After Paul sees the geese the attempt to stun them doesn’t go as fast as he had hoped it would. He fights desperately claiming, “What a kick a goose has!” This illustrates the struggle he has with stunning the geese. His situation becomes more stressful when he spots a bulldog from outside that growls at every move he makes. After what seems like forever Paul is able to jerk his revolver up and escapes the dog with one goose. Kat quickly kills the goose and he and Paul make their way to the lean-to to cook it. While the two take turns sleeping and cooking Paul hears the sound of gun-fire from the front and thoughts begin to consume his mind. Paul describes his feelings as, “We are two men, two minute sparks of life; outside is the night and the circle of death.” At this point in the chapter Paul realizes he is now in unison with someone whom he should never have had anything in common with. As he continues to think he sees two soldiers with big boots, and a shut heart who have forgotten all else but marching. After they feast on the goose they take the rest back to Tjaden and Kropp. The chapter ends with Paul describing himself as, “A soldier with big boots and a full belly, a little soldier in the morning—but by my side, stooping and angular, goes Kat, my comrade.” This chapter shows how Paul and his friends continue to form close knit unit and how the bond between soldiers is one like no other.