My essential question is: how do people grow closer through trauma? Erich Remarque shows in his book many instances in which the main character gets closer to his other soldiers through tough times in the trenches but also through periods of fun.

Throughout the book, all of the instances of tough times and violence led to people getting closer together. I believe that part of the reason why is because they are forced to fight against their one common enemy. Death.

“People who have survived trauma often continue to live normal lives, but the effects of trauma may impact mood, motivation and relationships.” The quote from the Hartgrove behavioral health hospital shows that the trauma that people go through in war can both build relationships and camaraderie or it can destroy the relationship in other instances. - Hartgrove hospital