Points Summer Book Club

I don't mean to apologize for Himmelstoss, but doesn't Remarque leave you feeling that he's a product of a system that puts him in a position to mistreat those under him? "As sure as they get a strip or a star they become different, as though they'd swallowed concrete," Kropp says. Katczinsky goes on to say that's the basis of the army, "one man must always have power over the other." And with that power arises the base human instinct to abuse it. The same system pushes Katczinsky to steal bread. That seems like a jolly good time because we don't see the impact it has like we do with Himmelstoss's actions. But somewhere there's a hungry farmer. I don't remember how I felt about Himmelstoss once he gets to the Front--I'm looking forward to seeing how I react this time. Did you happen to read Stephen Ambrose's Band of Brothers? There is a lieutenant there who is the lineal descendant of Himmelstoss. When he is told he won't be allowed to lead the unit he's trained, I felt sorry for him. The book leads you to believe it may have permanently crushed his spirit.

I love this line of commentary on Himmelstoss. While he is a product of the system, however, there's nothing in that system that requires the barbary he has exhibited. Power may have corrupted him, but it did not corrupt all officers to the same extent. We read in later chapters that other officers are taken aback by Himmelstoss' tactics.

All that being said, I couldn't help but feel some sympathy for Himmelstoss as Paul and his comrades wrapped him in a bedspread and beat him, stifling his cries with a pillow.

Violence begets violence.

That's interesting, Nicole -- I was glad that Himmelstoss got what was coming to him with that beating. I felt justice had been served, and that perhaps Himmelstoss would have the sense to understand the reason for his treatment, and resolve to be more humane to those under his authority. The men basically stood up to a bully.