What is war? Some people may assume war only deals with violence between countries or opposing governments. According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, war is "a state of hostility, conflict, or antagonism." Therefore war is not only a physical element, but a mental element as well. War can include personal struggles within oneself, in addition to the effects of person relationships with others. In Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front, the main character, Paul Bäumer, is greatly affected by two minor characters in the story: Corporal Himmelstoss and soldier Franz Kemmerich.

Corporal Himmelstoss affects Paul and makes him mentally and physically tougher by disciplining Paul as a soldier, increasing his pain threshold, and helping him understand war. Most importantly, Himmelstoss teaches Paul to be a disciplined soldier. Early on in the novel we can see Paul's discipline through his personal thoughts...