Summary of Chapter 5:
The beginning of Chapter 4 shows a glimmer of the positive as Paul shows how friendship can offer shelter within the sea of death. Disturbingly the men are taking shelter while nonchalantly killing lice and trying to think of life beyond the war.
For once the main characters are the veterans when a new character Himmeslstoss is introduced. Tjaden refuses to salute. Later, Kropp points out antiaircraft fire above them and tells Himmelstoss off: "What does he want them to do? Salute and ask permission before they die?" (From Novel All Quiet on the Western Front, narrative of Paul)
Meanwhile, Paul recollects; there were 20 classmates who volunteered together, seven are already dead, four are wounded, and one is insane. Clear foreshadowing a grim future and a concept of youth Muller, Kropp and Paul are young and vulnerable and readily consumed by the war. While Kat, Westhus and even Himmelstoss can return to their old lives.
Paul and Kropp agree, they know only of war. Kropp, the intellectual, puts the fate of his generation into the simplest of words: "The war has ruined us for everything." The chapter ends on an up as Kat manages to pilfer a goose from a farmer and prepare a decent meal for himself along with Paul, Tjaden and Kropp. They experience a few moments of genuine happiness.
Character Self Revelations: Kantorek
Kantorek is a provincial schoolmaster, an energetic little man with a face like a shrew. On a whole his character is representative of all elders whose values the young soldier comes to reject.
In prior much of my life centers on the Prussian myth of Destiny. I believe that war can bring the country greatness. Paul and his schoolmates and the other Iron Youth whose destiny lies in serving their Fatherland.
That was all before of course I got called into action myself placed in direct command of Mittelstaedt, a former pupil. His taunts of my own words tore through me. While I still believe in my country I can know see the value of youth and the individual life of the soldier.
