Stanislaus Katczinsky

Stanislaus Katczinsky, or Kat has he is called throughout the book, is an older soldier, forty years of age, and married with children.  One of the first things to learn about Kat is his ability to survive.  He is a great scavenger; and from the sounds of it, a great cook.  The soldiers seem to really enjoy his works, especially Tjaden, who is the biggest eater of them all.  Kat is also keen at sniffing out trouble.  Paul comments that Kat has a sixth sense.

Kat is one to think before he talks.  He doesn’t usually say much, but when he does, he seems to be the voice of reason, and one with his feet planted on the ground - not much of a dreamer. 

Paul, most of all, seems to love Kat.  I think Paul looks at Kat as someone that fulfills a father and mother figure.  He is a leader and can teach, but yet caring as a mother.  I remember a part in the book when Paul came back from leave and had volunteered with the rest of his comrades to sneak to the front line in the night.  Paul is struggling with thoughts of home and, for the first time on the front line, feels unsure of himself; unsure of his direction, and frozen in fear.  But when he hears the sound of Kat’s voice, the world is clear again.

At the end of the book, Paul tries to save Kat after he is hit with shrapnel in the shin.   Paul carry’s Kat to the dressing station.  Only to find out he is dead.  Paul doesn’t believe it at first, but soon learns that Kat caught a splinter in the head.  Kat was the last of Paul’s friends to leave him.  This is the saddest part in the book because with Kat gone, Paul feels nothing more

I felt like I related to Kat the most out of all the characters.  I liked that he could fend for himself and was willing to share his knowledge.  I also appreciated his ability to find and cook food.  The funniest was when Kat and Paul commandeered a goose.  Kat took care of Paul and his classmates and I’d like to think that if it wasn’t for Kat, the rest may not have lived as long as they did throughout the war.