(Spoiler) The ending of *All Quiet on the Western Front*

Bear with me, as I don't have my copy handy, but I believe that in the end of AQWF, Paul commits suicide. After discussing this book at university, the classic interpretation is that he is killed on the front after all his ideals and friends are destroyed from the war. Suicide makes sense because:

*As mentioned, Paul is inconsolable after losing all his friends as well as his hope and spirit. He states this in the last few pages. *One of the last few lines (after Paul has been shot) is something along the lines of "his face looked like it has a smile on it...like he was glad the end had come"

Now for the logistical stuff:

*He says, "I stand up" in part of his last paragraph. Simply standing and making yourself visible to be shot by the enemy was a common suicide method in WWI *As the final report says, the day Paul died was a very quiet day on the front. No attacks from either side meaning it was very unlikely for any given soldier to be killed.

Again, please forgive me for not having the book handy. Appreciate critiques and other thoughts!