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All Quiet on the Western Front Book Discussion Presentation

Introduction

Paul Baumer enlisted with his classmates in the German army of World War I. Youthful, enthusiastic, they become soldiers. But despite what they have learned, they break into pieces under the first bombardment in the trenches. And as horrible war plods on year after year, Paul holds fast to a single vow: to fight against the principles of hate that meaninglessly pits young men of the same generation but different uniforms against each other--if only he can come out of the war alive.


Task

As you read Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front, pay attention to the themes and motifs listed below. You will need to complete short answer questions that relate to all of these themes later, but for this assignment you will need to pay close attention to the themes and motifs assigned to your study group. On the assigned book discussion day(s), your group will create a presentation about the themes and motifs listed for your group. Each member of the group will need to have a role in the presentation! You will need to incorporate all of the following into your presentation.

  1. A powerpoint presentation shared to your instructor

  2. A list of discussion questions for the entire class to discuss as a group (You should have at least one question per theme/motif/concept, and you will then lead the class in the class discussion about each theme and motif)

  3. Specific examples from the book (quotes, events, characters, etc)

  4. Each group must use 1 poem reference from a WWI poet that relates to one or more of your assigned topics

    Group 1
    • Homoeroticism and Camaraderie
    • Idealizing Soldiers/War
    • Chance/Fate
    • Causes of War (from the characters’ perspectives)

Group 2
• Primitiveness -- Animal Instincts and Survival
• Home Life vs. Trench Life
• Food, Cigarettes, Basic Needs
• Memories

Group 3
• Enlisted Soldiers vs. Officers

• Revenge
• Psychology of the Soldier
• Generational Differences & Family

Group 4
• The Lost Generation
• Dehumanization
• Lost Youth
• Absurdity and Indifference