All Quiet on the Western Front Chapter 9 6+1Traits
In Chapter 9 of the book, All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque, Paul, the main character discovers things not only about himself, but about the war itself. Paul learns that he must listen to his conscience and not regret things that he has done while attending in the war. Also, Paul learns that no matter how hard the war may be, he must always fight for his country and for what he believes in. Lastly, Paul learns that even though it may be war, the men on the opposing side are very similar to the men on his own side, they are fighting for their own country just like Paul and his comrades.
While fighting in war, Paul learns to follow his conscience. He states “Promise everything in order to save myself” (225). Paul killed a man because he knew that was what he needed to do in order to survive. He was in the type of situation where he needed to kill a man or be killed himself. Even though this statement may be coming from a book, it is also a great instruction to follow in life outside of the story. People must listen to their conscience to get through life, for survival. If someone were to not listen to what their conscience is saying, their decisions in their everyday life would be poor. A person’s conscience is what that defines them.
By listening to his conscience, Paul learns that he always needs to not only fight for his country, but fight for what he believes in. The experiences Paul faces in Chapter 9 open his eyes and let him know that what he is doing, he is doing is for his country and for what he believes in. When Paul realizes this, he makes the comment, “It was only because I had to lie there… after all war is war” (229). In the life of the people outside of the war, they all must follow by this rule to get what he or she may want. If someone knows what they want, to get it, they must speak up about it. Sometimes those who do not agree may propose an argument....