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Chris Kim

Marechal

Eng. II H/ Per. 2

23 Mar. 2014

Unbreakable

A famous author once said Death is the great equalizer. However, contrary to the

authors beliefs, in the novel All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque, World

War I brings Paul and Kat so close to a point until Death cannot undo the knots of friendship and

in fact, strengthens their bonds. The relationship between Paul and Kat is too tenacious for even

death to come between them and separate them.

Remarque shows the development of the friendship between Paul and Kat when they are

able to communicate without making any physical communication. Kat and Paul are able to

salvage two geese from the backyard of a home and they are able to steal it and cook it to eat a

plentiful dinner. [They] sit opposite [of each] other. [They] dont talk much, but [we] believe

[they] have a more complete communion with one other than even lovers have (94). Remarque

makes a point to compare them to lovers, and by saying they are stronger than lovers is a very

bold statement. Remarque is able to present the idea that they are closer than lovers because

friendship is by pure choice. Family bonds are tied together with blood while lovers could be tied

to each other for lust of one another. However, friendship is different from both family and

lovers because there is nothing that that holds the line between the two individuals needed to

hold a relationship of any kind. Using the comparison Remarque proves that Paul and Kat are

truly closer than many lovers. Remarque also makes a point that they do not talk much while

eating. Although, silence is between them they dont let it separate them. [They] are two

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[soldiers] outside is the night and [death] (94). Remarque states this quote to show that

although space and silence are in between them it fails to separate them as they have both agreed

to the bonds of friendship. Death, night, and other harmful things are unable to split the two and

are kept outside of their relationship. [with a goose in between them] and feel in unison, are

so intimate that [they] do not even speak (94). Remarque uses the word intimate to prove to the

reader that they are not an official bond between man and man to create a friendship. The silence

is precious between Paul and Kat and marks the beginning of their relationship.

Living through the death of Kat affects Paul in such a detrimental way that he is unable to

speak of words. As Kat died the Orderly asks You are not related, [right]? (291). Remarque

uses the quote to show emphasize the horror that mustve been on Pauls face when he

discovered Kat was dead. The Orderly is only able to comprehend that they must be related

because blood holds them together and is ignorant enough to think that blood holds the strongest

bond. Remarque intentionally makes it so that Pauls reaction is not directly stated but is able to

show how devastated he is by the actions that occur around him. Paul then starts to question if

the world he was a reality. [Does] he walk? [Does] he still have feet? [He raises his eyes], lets

them move round, and turn [themselves] with them, one circle, one circle, and [he] stands in the

midst. All is the usual (291). Paul is unable to process what just had happened in front of him.

Remarque purposefully makes it so Kat dies in Pauls arms to make his desperation greater and

more tragic. The death of Kat shows the true colors of friendship Paul and Kat had together and

how much Paul had truly loved Kat even if it just meant as a friend.

After the death of Kat, the friendship between Paul and Kat survive through memory. The

human life is proved to be so fragile that even the smallest things can come in between life and

death to suppress a person into the depts of death. Remarque uses symbolism of the shrapnel to

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represent death. Although the shrapnel had killed Kat with a small undetectable puncture to the

head it had not separated the two friends. The friendship is not needed to be physical to be

continued on and lives strong in the heart of Paul. Paul chooses to actively remember the

friendship he had with Kat even after experiencing the trauma of his death within fingers grasp.

Paul decides to carry out their legacy. Paul values the friendship he had with Kat to a great

extent and Remarque is able proves that to the reader when Paul has thoughts within his own

head that [he] is so alone [the enemies] can take nothing more. [They] have taken everything.

Paul values the friendship with everything he had in his life and because death had cheated him

out of it he has nothing more to lose. However, Paul does not block out the thought of Kat but

the memories he shared with him fill him with life [that borne] through the years (295).

Remarque purposely kills Kat in the novel to bring a test of heart to Paul to prove what the

friendship they had was worth to Paul.

After the remembering of the friendship between Paul and Kat, Paul quickly dies.

Remarque makes it so Paul dies but in a very peaceful and anonymous way with a sense of

[gladness] that the end had come (296). Remarque quotes that it was All quiet on the Western

Front at the time of Pauls death. Remarque plots that the death of Paul is connected with the

death of Kat as he couldve died from extreme mourning or shock. Even with death in between

the two friends they are able to unite quickly after ones death. The friendship between them

goes beyond the realms of life and follows them beyond the grave.

Paul and Kat are true friends through the novel and were Remarque proves to us they are

inseparable when even the greatest equalizer cannot separate them. Death is unable to break the

bonds between these two friends because of the bonds they have created during their time of

service. Paul and Kats relationship is inseparablebecause it reaches beyond the normal realm.