all quiet ch9

2-4-14 All Quiet… ch9

summary: Paul returns to the front to find all his friends still alive. Not much later does he volunteer to spy in “No Mans Land”. During his venture, an attack starts and Paul has to fake death to survive. However, a French soldier runs next to him and Paul has to stab the soldier in self defense. The chapter goes on with the slow death of the French man.

quote: “Then what exactly is the war for?” -Tjaden

sig of quote: This question can mean so many things. The fact that Tjaden brought it up and the guys had no concrete answers is very powerful. Kat only shrugged his shoulders at this question; so small yet so powerful 

reflection: Up until the end of this chapter was Paul's life getting much better… He had his wonderful family visit him in the last chapter, and in this chapter he returned to find all his friends still alive. All was good until he made the stupid decision to spy on the enemy… I understand that it was the brave and courageous thing to do, but Paul isn't one to go do that. He isn't the one to kill someone, even if it is his duty. Now that he had to watch the french soldier die next to him, slowly, for several hours, Paul will endure great grief. I predict the grief will eat away at Paul so much that he may do something he will regret. 

question: Why did Paul volunteer himself to do such a dangerous task?