The character Paul in “All Quiet on the Western Front” by Erich Maria Remarque is an example of a soldier who does not embody toxic masculinity. He is a young boy who once romanticized the war, but he is suddenly forced to confront the harsh reality of it. Throughout the novel, he displays compassion, emotional honesty, and the willingness to help others. His actions and emotions can be analyzed through the lens of Charlotte Perkins Gilman and Carol Gilligan’s philosophies.

Charlotte Perkins Gilman believed that women should stand beside men as comrades of their souls, not as servants of their bodies. In her book “Women and Economics”, she advocated for women’s independence and equality. The idea of standing as a comrade rather than a servant is seen in Paul’s relationship with his mother. He loves her potato cakes, but he does not see her as just a provider of food. This is further seen on page 159 when Pauls’s mother calls him her “dear boy”. He comments that it means much more coming from her than anyone else. This shows their deep bond since they aren’t a family that depends on materialistic actions to demonstrate their love.

In addition, Gilman’s belief that death is the essential condition of life is reflected in Paul’s experiences. He witnesses death constantly and becomes numb to it, but he still grieves when he loses his friends. He is not afraid to cry or show his emotions, unlike the other soldiers who try to suppress their feelings.

Carol Gilligan’s philosophy, as expressed in “In a Different Voice”, emphasizes the importance of emotional honesty and nonviolence. Paul demonstrates emotional honesty when he lies to the nun about his health to be with his friend Albert in the hospital, prioritizing his friendship over the truth. He also shows compassion toward the Frenchman he stabs in a panic. Instead of leaving him to die, he stays with him for three hours, trying to save his life. Gilligan argues that intellectual honesty alone is not enough; we must also exercise emotional honesty.

Toxic masculinity and emotional honesty typically do not mix. One of the main beliefs of this mindset is the idea that boys should reject empathy toward others and view nurturing impulses as “weak.” The other soldiers around Paul symbolize this toxic masculinity, trying to prove their strength and bravery by suppressing their emotions and treating women as objects. They also find humor in the gruesome and violent aspects of war, unlike Paul, who recognizes the cruelty of it. In chapter 4, he says, “We reach the zone where the front begins and become on the instant human animals.” He recognizes the dehumanizing effect that war has on people, and he does not find it amusing.

In the river, his friends who are older and more experienced than him are laughing and having a great time talking about women. When Paul and his friends meet the French girls, he does not objectify them as his friends do. Instead, he daydreams about escaping the war and living a peaceful life with the girl he meets. He longs for the war and terror to be gone from him, and he wants to awaken young and happy like the girl. This shows his desire for a life free from violence and trauma, which aligns with Gilligan’s emphasis on nonviolence.

In conclusion, Paul’s character in All Quiet on the Western Front breaks down toxic masculinity by illustrating the philosophies of Charlotte Perkins Gilman and Carol Gilligan. He shows emotional honesty, compassion, and a desire for nonviolence, which contrasts with the toxic mindset of the other soldiers around him. He recognizes the dehumanizing effects of war and longs for a life free from violence and trauma. His actions and emotions can be analyzed through the lens of Gilman and Gilligan’s philosophies, showing how their ideas are still relevant today in understanding gender roles and the effects of violence on individuals.