“Kropp on the other hand is a thinker. He proposes that a declaration of war should be a kind of popular festival with entrance tickets and bands like a bull fight. Then in the arena the ministers and generals of the two countries, dressed in bathing-drawers and armed with clubs can have it out among themselves. Whoever survives, his country wins. That would be much simpler and more just than this arrangement, where the wrong people do the fighting.” (Remarque, 41)
This excerpt is taken from a conversation between the soldiers about the best way to end World War I. Remarque makes it clear that the men feel they are fighting for a cause that is not their own, and this quote clearly illustrates that opinion. This is contrary to the romantic view of this subject, which is that soldiers fight because they are obedient men who will gladly die for their leaders without second-guessing their motives. Kropp and the rest of the men in All Quiet on the Western Front lost this general faith in their leaders shortly after arriving to battle. “It’s simply amazing, I tell you, that the ordinary tommy sticks it all up here on the front line. Simply amazing!” (Remarque, 45) says Kat, astonished that average men risk their lives without any practical benefits for themselves.
The scene of the wounded horses provides a metaphor. “Like to know what harm they’ve done,” (Remarque, 64) says Detering, frustrated about the slaughter of the innocent horses. The men feel the same unfairness about their own situation as the horses. They are also unconcerned with the political motives of the war, and have little to gain but everything to lose by fighting it. As Kropp says, “the wrong people do the fighting,” (Remarque, 41).
The quote also exemplifies an interesting statement about leadership. Kropp mocks the national leaders by suggesting that they dress in “bathing-drawers”. He, like the other soldiers, does not respect the men in authority over him until they earn it. Himmelstoss and Katczinsky provide opposing examples. When Himmelstoss mocks Paul and Kropp who are carrying the latrine bucket, he gives them strict orders when they accidentally spill it on him. But the two refuse to follow the orders. “…that was the end of his authority,” says Paul. Himmelstoss did not respect his men, so his men refuse to respect him. This is the same disrespect Kropp feels for the German national leaders, although to a lesser degree because he is at least still willing to fight. Katczinsky is the leader of the group, and the men have great respect for him because he goes out of his way to provide for them. When the men are hungry and without food, Kat magically appears with hot bread. When there is a gas attack, Kat is the first to warn his men to put on their masks. Because he cares for his men, Kat’s men respect him. This statement about leadership is repeated throughout the book.
Kropp’s proposal to end the war provides an example for repeated themes of respect and proper leadership.
Literature of War STC 