How is the refusal of Pauls mother to discuss her illness with her son similar to paul's refusal to discuss the war with her?

Paul feels that he is protecting his mother from the painful truth by his refusal to share his experiences. Paul's mother, however, sees through him more clearly. She understands she may never see her son again. The irony, though, is that it may be from her death from cancer, not his from war. Her refusal to talk about her illness comes from the same kind of protectiveness he affords her.