What does it mean to be a soldier? How did the experience of fighting on the front line change Paul Baumer? The book “All Quiet on the Western Front” is based on two themes, catalyst for change and loss of identity. In "All Quiet on the Western Front", the catalyst for change in the minds of young humans, how to turn into men and war shows them how to be a German soldier in World War I, before the war, Paul was a creative, sensitive person and passionate, writes poetry and has a clear love for her family. But during the war he changed his attitude and personality. Aspects of his past life become something Paul didn't remember having any connection to, and he learns to disconnect from his feelings. He feels he can't tell anyone about his experiences and feels like an outsider when it comes to his family. At the end of the book, Paul realizes that he no longer knows what to do with himself and decides that he has nothing left to lose. It seems that the war has swept away his hopes and dreams, which he feels he can never regain. “Was it very bad out there, Paul?” Mom, what should I answer to this? You wouldn't understand, you could never realize it. And you'll never realize it. Was it bad, you ask. –You, mom,- I shake my head and say: “No, mom, not really. There are always a lot of us together, so it's not that bad." (Page 161)He is a catalyst for change because before the war he was a naive boy who thought nothing of death. Until he entered the war and changed his view on war and death due to his mother's cancer. Before the war Paolo was a sensitive, creative, passionate person with a clear love for his family. “At the sound of the first buzz of the grenades we rush... middle of paper... they lie about enjoying a moment of relaxation and they put their horrible experiences out of their minds. Paul says that you can survive terror only if you avoid thinking about it; otherwise feelings of pain, fear and despair would drive a man mad. Paul even looks at these feelings with contempt, calling them “quite ornamental in times of peace” and implying that they are luxuries rather than components of the human experience. Paul presents his list of recent casualties, friends and comrades who have been killed or seriously wounded in the fighting. After discussing the catalyst for change, becoming soldiers and becoming men. We learn that war is a serious place based on life and death. Being a soldier means being loyal to your country and fighting for what is rightfully yours. The war changed men's outlook on the world by seeing what death really is like.