I am struggling with history homework, which is about World War 1. Just recently my class watched a film called "All Quiet On The Western Front" and I unfortunately was absent for this film study and now am required to answer a few questions. If any of use have watched this movie I will really appreciate it if you can answer some of my questions.

1. What did the old men back home have to say about the war and what did Paul think about this and why?
2. What did Mrs Kimmerick make Paul promise?
3. What did the teacher tell the class and why?
4. What did the men do to kill the rats?
5. What does the title "All Quiet On The Western Front" mean?
6. Do you believe the novel that the film is based on is a pro-war or anti-war novel? Give your reasons.

Hi there - here's a link for some detailed notes and overview of the film, together with some useful quotations explained fully - http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/allquiet/ in the meantime I'll try to answer your questions from memory !

1. many of the old men back home have an unrealistic view of the war - they have not been there, and they act like 'armchair generals' .... they assume the morale at the Front is very good and that it's only a matter of time before the Germans win (propaganda?). Paul's reaction to this is not to put them right nin their perceptions but to let them 'gas on' about it, letting it wash over him.

2. Mrs Kemmerich made Paul promise to lookm after her son Franz (early scene), then when Paul goes to see her, he lies about Kemmerich's death saying that it was a quick and painless one. She makes him swear that this was so, and that if he was lying then he should never return home again.

3. two scenes with Kantorek the teacher - initially he is trying to fill the boys with patriotic fervour and enthusiasm - Iron youth makes Iron heroes etc - second later scene shows a more contrite teacher, more downhearted as he has been affected by the long casualty lists etc

4 they threw rotten bread onto the floor then killed the rats with spades

5 it refers to an order on 10th Nov 1918 that ordered the ceasefire to begin at 11am on 11th Nov 1918 - when everything would be all quiet - i.e the fighting would stop

6 it is very much an anti-war film: you will need to pick out bits of the film to put that across

hope this is of some help for you. Good luck

if u realy need more questions to help u just keep searching the internet trust me i did it u can to and i need help wit What happend to muller thx bye lat3rz

Mueller was killed.
I will tr to found out how.
One website says he died next day in battle.

From memory, both my second-in-department and I think that, in the 1974 film, it is said that he died while Paul was in hospital, and that he wasn't killed quickly - that a stomach wound took hours to kill him -- but you must CHECK CAREFULLY before you say this ... we will check for you.