All Quiet on the Western Front Questions
1. For what does Katzcinsky have a reputation?
He has a reputation for having a sixth sense. He is the smartest. He understands all treades.
2. How does Kropp think wars should be fought?
Kropp thinks wars should be fought as a popular festival with entrance tickets and bands and the ministers and generals o the two countries would be armed with clubs and have it out among themselves and whoever survives, his country would win.
3. What were Himmelstoss's drill exercises?
The drill exercises were physical training with a quick march, and potato peeling. Also they would practice a change in the barrack-room where they had to pretend like they were passing through a subway and each man stood at attention on the let side of his bed, and then they would have to scramble to the other side of the bed when a command was called.
4. What had been Himmelstoss's profession before the war?
He was a postman.
5. What does Kropp say happens to little men like Himmelstoss when they get stars or stripes?
Kropp says that when little men get stars or stripes they snap at it. One man must always have power over another in the army. He will abuse his power. The more insignificant the man has been in civil life, the worse they are with abusing their power.
6. What reason does Kropp give for officers' making drill exercises so difficult?
He says that having so much power has turned the commander’s head, and nobody blames him because they praise him for being strict.
Chapter 4:
1. What is the importance of the "earth to a soldier?"
A soldier buries his face and his limbs deep into earth from the fear of death from shell-fire. The earth shelters a soldier from battle. It is a soldier’s protection.
2. What influence does the front have on soldiers?
The front has great influence on soldiers. It changes a man. The consiousness of the front changes a man. It sharpens their senses. It has emitted an electric current which awakened unknown nerve-centers. Everything is awakened.
3. What two situations in battle serve a comic relief from the grim battle being waged?
The rockets the cigarettes and the comfort of other soldiers.
4. What does the death of the horses represent?
The death of the horses represented their own deaths.
5. What does the graveyard scene say about the value of human life?
It says that they do not have very much value. Bodies are being flown around everywhere. People are just dying and not being buried, just being left there.
6. Why is this such an important chapter in the novel?
This chapter shows a change in the characters and it is the first chapter that they actually go to battle in. It also shows the relationships between the soldiers.