Himmelstoss was sent to the front as a form of punishment for his previous behavior as a training officer, where he was known for his harsh and bullying tactics toward recruits. His superiors decided that his actions warranted a more challenging and dangerous assignment to confront the realities of war. This decision also reflects the broader theme of the disconnect between those who train soldiers and the actual experiences of combat. Ultimately, it serves as a commentary on the consequences of his earlier arrogance and the harsh realities of military life.
Corporal Himmelstoss is a character from Erich Maria Remarque's novel "All Quiet on the Western Front." He is portrayed as a strict and harsh training officer who exerts power over the young recruits, often using humiliation and intimidation to enforce discipline. His character embodies the cruelty and absurdity of military authority, contrasting sharply with the experiences of the soldiers on the front lines. Ultimately, Himmelstoss represents the dehumanizing aspects of war and the transformation of individuals under its pressures.
At the end of basic training in "All Quiet on the Western Front," Tjaden gets even with Himmelstoss by participating in a collective act of revenge against the cruel training officer. After a night of drinking, Tjaden and some of his comrades ambush Himmelstoss, physically overpowering him and giving him a taste of the humiliation he inflicted on them during training. This act symbolizes their rebellion against authority and the dehumanizing training they endured.
Himmelstoss does not die in Erich Maria Remarque's novel "All Quiet on the Western Front." Instead, he serves as a symbol of the rigid military hierarchy and the harsh realities of war. His character represents the transformation soldiers undergo in the face of combat, as he, once a strict and harsh training officer, becomes more humanized through his experiences on the front lines. The novel ultimately focuses on the psychological and physical toll of war on soldiers rather than individual fates of characters like Himmelstoss.
Corporal Himmelstoss was also called "the terror of Klosteber" because of being "the strictest disciplinarian in the camp (...)." (9) Despite all the terror he inspired, he used to be a postman before attending to the war. Himmelstoss was in charge of the number ninth platoon. Himmelstoss was cruel; therefore, he enjoyed forcing them to risk themselves.
Although I am not completely sure, I believe all of the characters die except for Tjaden, Himmelstoss, Kropp, and possibly Kantorek.
Himmelstoss and Kantorek, like the Kaiser, embody the themes of authority and the pressures of militarism in "All Quiet on the Western Front." Himmelstoss represents the rigid, often cruel discipline of military training, while Kantorek symbolizes the misguided patriotism that compels young men to fight. Both figures, alongside the Kaiser, contribute to the war's romanticized ideals, pushing soldiers into a brutal reality that starkly contrasts with their initial beliefs. Ultimately, they illustrate the disconnect between those in power and the harsh experiences of the soldiers on the front lines.
Since Tjaden wet his bed everyday, Himmelstoess made him sleep on a bunk bed with another bed wetter. So who ever slept on the bottom would wake up to pee on their face. So Tjaden hated Himmelstoess for making him go through it.
Tjaden
He doesn't die.
Himmelstoss, a character in Erich Maria Remarque's "All Quiet on the Western Front," embodies the transformation that a uniform can instigate in an individual. The uniform elevates him from a mere postman to a figure of authority, allowing him to exert power over his peers. This newfound authority often reveals his sadistic tendencies, as he abuses his position to intimidate and belittle the soldiers under his command. Ultimately, the uniform becomes a symbol of the dehumanizing effects of war, shaping Himmelstoss into a person who thrives on control and dominance, rather than camaraderie.
Paul and his comrades were sent to the front because they were in need of backups.
You should get off your computer and read your book. You know you're supposed to, and it really is a good book.