All Quiet On The Western Front Character Analysis

Katczinsky: As the best friend of Paul Baumer in the army, Katczinsky had a special
bond with Paul. Age didnt matter in this bond, as Katczinsky was nearly twice Paul
Baumers age. Being a very resourceful and inventive fellow Katczinsky made sure there
was always food and shelter. His nickname being Kat, Paul and Kat stayed friends until
the end when Kat died in Pauls arms after being hit by a shell fragment.
Muller: A practical and hardheaded young man, Muller was one of Pauls Classmates and
fellow comrades. He was among several in a group of students who were convinced by
their teacher to volunteer as soldiers in the war. Muller plied his fellow friends in the
Second Company about their postwar plans.
Tjaden: Tjaden was one with a most unfortunate relationship with Corporal
Himmelstross. He had a bed wetting problem that wasnt entirely his fault and
Himmelstross hated Tjaden but not with quite as much hatred as Tjaden shot back.
Tjaden was another of Pauls friends and had a ferocious appetite for such a skinny
fellow.
Paul Baumer: As the narrator of this war novel and a soldier himself. Paul appears to be
one to truly understand his lifes short existence after now becoming a hollow living soul.
Hes seen his life be turned to nothing through the horrors of war. And realized it was
over before it even began.
Albert Kropp: A speculative and Intelligent man, Albert was one of Pauls closest friends
during the war. Serving in the Second Company with Paul, they went to a Catholic
Hospital together after being injured guarding a village under heavy shelling.
Kemmerich: Another one of Pauls former classmates Kemmerich suffers a light wound
and contracts gangrene and his leg has to be amputated. Anticipating his death although
Paul doesnt admit to the unstoppable effects, Kemmerich suffers grueling pain. Paul
contemplates the meaninglessness of death and the cheapness of life in the war.
Kantorek: Not very favored by his students Kantorek is an ignorant, pompous,
authoritarian schoolmaster teaching Pauls class in High school. Kantorek placed an
intense amount of pressure on Paul and the rest of his classmates to enlist in the army
fulfilling their patriotic duty.
Corporal Himmelstross: Before the war, Himmelstross was a mere postman. When the
war started he was given the position of a noncommissioned training officer. Being a
petty, and power hungry man, he would torment Paul and his group of friends creating
hatred between them. After he had experienced the horrors of trench warfare however,
Himmelstross made a feeble attempt to amend his treating of the group.