All Quiet on the Western Front Lesson Plan

Discuss the following passage from Chapter One: "The wisest were just the poor and simple people. They knew the war to be a misfortune, whereas those who were better off, and should have been able to see more clearly what the consequences would be, were beside themselves with joy.” Why might "the poor and simple" have a better insight into the realities of the war?

The "poor and simple" may have a better insight into the experience of war because they are familiar with life as hardship, and understand what it means to struggle on a daily basis. Additionally, this population might be among the first to enlist in the war for lack of better options, and thus the most likely...