all quiet ch11

2-5-14 All Quiet… ch11

summary: The German army is nothing compare to its enemies… Most of Paul's friends have died already; Muller, Leer, and Bertnick. He continues the fight when a glace of hope catches his eye. A cherry tree reminds Paul of his family back home, and reminds him that he wants to live to see them. However, in combat, his best friend Kat is shot in the leg, so Paul carries him to safety. Later, Kat is shot in the head and he dies.

quote: “Perhaps you will leave soon. You may even be sent back to become a farmer.”

sig of quote: Enthusiastic Paul is thinking ahead to the future so the guys who are about to go into battle will have reasons to live. 

reflection: I totally called this on my last litblog. Everything was good for Paul until basically all his friends died. The cherry tree in this chapter is very symbolic. To his friends the cherry tree might have reminded them of beauty or food; but, to Paul, the cherry tree meant hope. I believe that seeing that cherry tree was what  kept Paul alive during the battle, for it reminded him why he should try harder to survive. What was waiting for him at the other end was his family, and his future. To Paul those are the most important things.

question: What did the cherry tree mean to all the other soldiers who saw it?