Stanislaus Katczinsky
Stanislaus Katczinsky cuts out the image of cunning, shrewd
and hard bitten man. He is forty years of age and assumes the role of
leadership for the group of soldiers composed of Paul Bäumer, Albert Kropp,
Haie Westhus ,Fredrich Müller , Tjaden and Detering. At the onset of chapter
one, his leadership traits are exhibited when he demands that the cook feeds
his group members despite the absence of other soldiers. Katczinsky fondly
referred to as Kat, is exuberantly smart and has earned the respect of his group
members (Remarque, Erich & Wheen). Kat exhibits his sharp intellect with
his crew on several occasions. For example, in one field mission, the group
lands at a nondescript location. The area is devoid of any basic necessities
and only has barren, wire meshed bed bunks for sleeping. The wire netting is
hard, and the soldiers’ sheets are too thin to be used as beddings. Moreover,
the troop has hardly had anything to eat. However, Kat in his characteristic
smart nature sets off with Haie Westhus in such of a solution. Minutes later,
Kat arrives with horse box full of straw to act as bedding material and making
the bunker beds more bearable to sleep in (Remarque, Erich & Wheen)
However, there is still one more problem affecting the
soldiers, hunger! The artilleryman scoffs at Kat’s question concerning the
whereabouts of a canteen in the vicinity. Once more Kat once sets off in his
impromptu exploration and to the astonishment of others; he arrives later with
two loaves of bread and a sandbag full of horse meat. This scenario just
illustrates the problem solving nature and never say die attitude that was an
embodiment of Kat’s character. Furthermore, it cemented the deep sense of
pride, respect and value that the group had for Kat.
The mannerisms and actions exhibited by Kat express a hint of
some German cultural traits. For example, he exhibits German choice delicacies
when he comes back with horse meat for his troop when they set the night in the
abandoned factory. The character of Kat embodies resilience, survival and
leadership in the war time theme synonymous throughout the novel.
