all quiet on western front

Imagery

Language that appeals to the five senses.

Symbol

An object or idea that represents something deeper.

Motif

A repeated image, symbol, idea, or theme throughout a story.

Allegory

A story where characters/events symbolize larger ideas or lessons.

Indirect Characterization

The author shows traits through Speech, Thoughts, Actions, Effects on others, Looks (STEAL).

Direct Characterization

The author directly tells what a character is like.

POV (Point of View)

The perspective from which a story is told.

First Person

Uses 'I' or 'we'.

Second Person

Uses 'you'.

Third Person Limited

Knows thoughts of one character.

Third Person Omniscient

Knows thoughts of all characters.

Vernacular Language

Everyday speech or dialect used by regular people.

Allusion

Reference to another person, story, event, or myth.

Frame Story

A story inside another story.

Horror of War

War destroys people physically and emotionally.

Loss of Innocence

Young soldiers lose their youth.

Friendship

Soldiers depend on each other to survive.

Alienation

Paul feels disconnected from normal society.

Dehumanization

War turns humans into survival machines.

Boots

Represent survival and the cycle of death.

Trenches

Represent fear, suffering, and entrapment.

Nature

Represents peace and escape.

Uniforms

Represent loss of individuality.

Difference Between Direct & Indirect Characterization

Direct: author tells; Indirect: author shows.

Symbol vs Motif

Symbol: one thing representing something deeper; Motif: repeated symbol/idea.

Most Important Theme

The destruction caused by war.

Why is the Ending Ironic?

Paul dies right before the war ends, and the report acts like nothing important happened.