In "All Quiet on the Western Front," Paul Baumer's experience of war profoundly alters his attitude toward authority. Initially, he respects the ideals and figures of authority, such as teachers and military leaders, who glorify patriotism and heroism. However, as he endures the brutality and senselessness of battle, he becomes disillusioned, viewing authority figures as detached and ignorant of the true horrors faced by soldiers. This shift leads him to reject their ideals, recognizing that they are often motivated by self-interest rather than genuine concern for the lives of those they command.