Chapter Nine Summary Essay Research Paper In

Chapter Nine Summary Essay, Research Paper

In this section of the book, Paul finally understands what the war is about

and why he is there. But he learned this grim reality after a traumatizing event. He begins

to see the devastation and agony the war brings accompanied with its empty heart.

After being reassigned to a flank that is brought in whenever the battle

plans go wrong, Paul prepares for battle. But he is reassured knowing his faithful

comrades, Kat and Albert, are at his side. But Kat and Albert can?t assist him with his

mind struggle for the company of his mother. While conversing with Kat and Albert,

Paul?s hunger can be contained no longer and he pulls out his mother?s potato-cakes. Paul

pauses for a minute and pictures his mother in front of a hot stove with a broken heart.

Paul?s thought of this brings him to tears, but he must push this to the depths of his heart

in preparation for the arrival of the Kaiser.

The soldiers spirits are lifted after being handed new equipment that

shunned their old ones. Paul and his comrades begin to converse of the war and the

Kaiser?s arrival which erupts into a debate of who is the enemy and who is the good guy.

They regard that both sides are defending their homes and their fatherland so it stands to

reason of who is committing wrong doing. This debate then strikes up an argument of

how the war could have been avoided, but Tjaden clears the air with the view that the war

will bear peace for future generations.

Following the inspection of camp by the Kaiser, the soldiers become

enraged after finding out that the new equipment was only a front for the Kaiser?s

inspection. Paul feels safety after hearing he and his flank will be going to Russia because

of rumors going around camp, but he discovers that it was actually a rumor. He will just

be going through the forest, up the line once again. In the forest is where Paul sees the

horror and carnage of the war. He sees large craters as if the earth was hit with a meteor

and his eyes were set upon those who were standing by, which were now in the trees

dangling lifeless. He finds a man with no arms, naked, in a puddle of blood and is told that

he died slow due to the scratched leaves alongside his feet. It is truly a devastating sight

and Paul is fearful to become one of the departed.

Later, tension builds and volunteers are requested to lead a mission into

enemy territory to uncover the enemies plans of attack. When Paul?s friends volunteer, he

feels connected to them spiritually and sees it fit to volunteer alongside them. The group

creates the plan of, under the cover of darkness, creeping under the barbwire and slither

close to enemy lines. Paul goes separately and huddles into a shell-hole awaiting for the

machine gun fire to cease. But just before he stands, the bombs begin to find the ground

and burst alongside Paul. In fear, he stays in the shell-hole and ducks the machine gun fire.

As Paul, tries to keep calm and not be fearful of the shell blasts, he pulls

out his dagger. He awaits for someone to fall into the shell hole looking for shelter and

security. But Paul waits for them, ready to strike out at whatever. And with a moment of

silence, Paul makes an attempt to escape from the shell-hole, but just slides back down.