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Chapter 21
Themes
and Colors
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Life Class, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
War
Art
Gender
Love and Relationships
Class
Summary
Analysis
After a particularly difficult surgery, Paul discusses work with another volunteer, who argues that their priority should be preventing infections in wounds. Paul is unsettled to consider that while his peer is thinking of ways to contribute to the war effort, Paul is trying to go about his work with as little thought as possible.
Paul’s colleague’s reflection on their priorities in the hospital reflects the fact that new forms of warfare used in World War I, along with the sheer scope of the casualties, led to new medical methodology such as triage. This conversation once again points out how Paul is trying to remain detached from the violence around him.
Active
Themes
Lewis spends every night sitting with Goujet, the soldier who tried to commit suicide. One of the nurses asks Paul to help Lewis become less attached to Goujet, because the work will “grind [Lewis] down” if he remains so sensitive. Paul is secretly as affected by Goujet’s situation as Lewis, but he hides his feelings better. One night, Goujet requests pieces of paper and covers them in scribbles that Paul doesn’t understand. He gives them to Paul, who later tears them up and throws them to the wind.
Active
Themes
