The chapter begins with a detailed description of Robert's dugout being ruffled up by a mine detonation. Poole, who is one of the recruits in the order of Ross is deemed dead, however, he comes back into the dugout after stepping out to urinate. Strange.
The chapter is divided into logs entered with a specific time entry. Interesting approach.
Here are tad bits and pieces of the chapter.
"Robert and the others had to press forward. That was the rule. No one went back - even for a dying comrade. Only someone wounded could stay with another wounded man. Here no one spoke. The dead all lay with their faces in the mud - or turned to the walls of the trench. This was the only way they could be told apart from the wounded. All were a uniform shay of grey. Even their blood had lost its colour." (131)
Robert is seen giving command to his recruits on pages 137 to . It's surprising that the novel reveals the disorganized army for some of his recruits were not issued gas masks or handkerchiefs even. Robert uses profane language, and its really funny. A gas attack is ensuing and the recruits have their torn shirts as make up handkerchiefs to avoid the gas. However, Robert goes like, "Piss on them, PISS ON THEM!" to avoid the effects of the chlorine.
Interesting, but true. "You have to obey a man with a gun - mad or sane" (139).
This next part is awkward, but its sad.
"He nodded at the men. Then he knelt and began to fumble with his flies. Here was the terror. Bates [one of the recruits] was so afraid that he collapsed backward and sat like a child in the sand and dug in his underwear for his penis. It had shrunk in fear!" (139).
It continues, "Bates was certain he would defecate. His bowels had turned to water. He fell on his side. At last his fingers took hold [of his penis]. He closed his eyes. He prayed: dear Jesus, let me piss. But he couldn't. Neither could one of the other men and this other man began to weep, till Robert shouted at him: Damn you! Damn you! Give it to me! and he ripped the shirttail away from the man and urinated on it himself" (140)
Robert is taking command, giving instructions to put the handkerchief over the face to prevent them from inhaling the gas. The reader sees the true terror of the war, who in their right mind would believe they would have to do this act in one point of their lives to safe themselves?!
It continues, "Finally, Bates let go. His muscles gave away like bits of yarn and he fouled himself as he peed. How could it matter? They were all going to die. He flattened the wettened tail of his shirt across his face and rolled to his stomach, pressing his face in the mud" (140).
They survive the ordeal, knowing that the ammonia in urine could turn the chlorine gas into harmless crystals that could not be inhaled. Smart.
However, a German spots them and fearing a shootout, Robert puts his hand up in peace. The German lets them all go away. This reflects a general kindness to remove the preconceptions that all Germans were evil. However, the relief is shortlived as a bomb from above is dropped and kills the German and all the other recruits except Bates and Robert. Everything is green. Chlorine.
Liquid warfare is introduced. Seriously? Flame throwers to be exact. Page 148 - very gruesome deaths.
A captain by the name of Rodwell commits suicide because he could not bear the madness some of the men did in another camp. They killed animals for fun and so, Rodwell committed suicide, revealing the issue of animal rights expressed by Findley. 150
Mrs. Ross is undergoing emotional problems. A look into the relationship between Mr. Ross and Mrs. Ross is given on pgs 153-154.
"The part about marriage she mistrusted most was the part about being loved. The fact of being loved was difficult: almost intolerable. Being loved was letting others feed from your resources - all you had of life was put in jeopardy" (153)
Plot and dialogue driven. Chapters 3 and 2 must be read in order to completely understand the holes Findley sets out for the reader.
Till next time,
Alexander Truong.
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