- Paul visits his old school and finds Kantorek still yammering to a class of young men about their patriotic duties.
- Kantorek asks Paul to share a small story of some heroic deed. Paul refuses.
- Once prompted on, Paul says, "When it comes to dying for your country, it's better not to die at all!"
- The schoolboys call him a coward, and Paul leaves, realizing he shouldn't have come home.