The Good Soldier, FORD MADOX FORD.
pp.68-69
Part I of TGS ends with the death of Maisie Maidan, on a 4th of August,
which Dowell then goes on to explain the significance of that date in Florence’s
life. Looking back on the events which occurred on that specific date, Dowell
ponders on Florence’s lover in Paris, Jimmy. His realization of the tricks he fell
for brings him to comment on the appearance on the stage of Edward: “And then
the other lover came along”, p.66. His incredible admiration for Edward
Ashburnham prompts him to make the neverending list of his qualities. The
passage we are dealing with follows this laudatory portrait, and ends the first
chapter of Part II. This excerpt takes the form a a triple dialogue, so to speak,
about Edward’s military achievements: a dialogue between first, Dowell and
Nancy, secondly, Dowell and Edward himself, and thirdly, Dowell and Leonora.
This passage, which concentrates all that the reader needs to know about
the good soldier from the title, appears crucial insofar as it acts as a prolepsis,
pitting Leonora against Nancy, and foreshadowing the role of the latter in the
plot.
It seems relevant to focus first on the portrait of Edward Ashburnham as
The Good Soldier, drawn by Nancy. What appears strinking in this passage are
Leonora’s tentative approaches of Dowell, a game of cat and mouse so to speak,
rather typical of the character, whereas Dowell, eventually, is confirmed in his
role as “an ignorant fool” (p.66) taking things for granted.
1. A Good Soldier.
Eulogy by Nancy
Constitutes the first paragraph
Vocabulary of love (x2), praise + “chanted” >>> form of ritual, religious ceremony,
sort of prayer to a God.
Makes him out as a “special” man: “coveted order”, l.10, “special place”, l.10
A romantic hero / romanticized vision of Edward
Objective list of rewards
DSO, Royal Humane’s Society’s Medal, VC
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+ heroic deeds, the same which leonora despises.
+ demultiplication of the deeds: “twice” (x2), emphasizes the list of brave
actions
Undermined by the choice of vocabulary
When Dowell recounts Nancy’s speech, voc. of appearances: “apparently”, l.5-10,
“whatever that might mean”, l.9, “perhaps”, l.11-14
This is the only passage really which contributes to explaining the title of the
novel, as elsewhere Edward is not so much presented as a soldier (episode La
Dolciquita, moved to India)
V.C >>> everybody knows that it is a very high military distinction, so Dowell’s
remark (quote) is hard to understand >>> may be explained by the fact he is
foreign but not convincing.
What seems maybe more convincing : Dowell is in fact re-telling what happened
in the light of further developments, the undermining of Edward’s achievements
may thus be a result of talks with leonora.
+ Edward’s comment
2. Leonora’s tentative approach of Dowell.
Careful speech
Marked by punctuation (ll.41-45): abundance of dashes, which interrupt the
rhythm and the flow of the passage. Translates L’s careful choice of words.
Vocab: “slowly”, x2
“for what seemed like a long time” + “for a long time” >>> pauses to choose her
words
Also may recall scene protest: she thinks Dowell understands whereas he
doesn’t.
L. carefully repeats Dowell’s words, yet her tone seems ironic, or at least it
seems to raise some questions ll.32-33
Two-fold speech intended to raise doubts in Dowell’s mind, without
seeming to.
ll.46-47: indicates her doubts as far as her husband’s qualities are concerned.
Marriage is a pretence: keep up a public image; very English attitude. ll. 56-57
“Didn’t you know?”, l.28, looking for D’s real opinion?
“It’s your opinion that there are no other lines that count?”, l.38
Prolepsis: future role of Nancy
Nancy is never named
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“the girl”, l.6,47: asexual being, not a woman, but this is true throughout the
novel.
“your ward” l.40
deprives her of an identity, not coneived as a threat, or indeed, so threatening
she is not named?
+ “any other woman”, l.51-52 not girl, woman, not perceived as a threat
this way of referring to nancy as “the girl” seems typical of Dowell’s speech (cf.
“Now I can marry the girl”, quite strange he shouldn’t mention her name in such a
context) which brings us to his role in the excerpt.
3. Dowell: an “ignorant fool”.
Vision of himself as an observer
“a man sees...” l.49
“I should have noticed”, l.52
“would you believe it?” l.42, of course at that point the reader / listener is ready
to believe anything, Dowell already appears as a fool since the disclosure of F’s
fake heart condition / ironic statement.
Discrepancy between Dowell’s vision of himself and real life; the two mingled by
the narrator’s (Dowell but an enlightened Dowell) comments.
Passive character who doesn’t have a clue, cf final sentence: nearly dramatic
irony as the reader already knows what has gone on (multiple prolepsis
beforehand) the reader does just that the whole time: think how much of a fool
he is!
Irony again: “I asked her fully and squarely” hum... a question which only brings
one answer from a well-educated Lady.
Taking things for granted (ie: medals> good person)
E’s dismissal of D’s inquiry : grunts, seems to despise the whole thing
ist of medals and military honours: doesn’t mean much to Dowell as seen before
Yet: “along at least the lines of his public functions” (l.24-25)
Implies this is only one side of the coin
Doesn’t know Edward that much: it’s Nancy who reveals all this to him.
This raises the question of private and public sides of a character: Dowell
himself acknowledges he finds it hard to know people really (ll.21-23)
The expression “along those lines” x 5, ll. 24, 30, 33, 35, 37
L. emphasizes or at least tries to point out the different between “public
functions” and private man
But Dowell doesn’t pick up: l.35
Takes for granted that medals are a reflection of the value of the character
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Doesn’t realize the discrepancy between the show (“the scene”) put on by L+E,
and reality
Kilsyte case mentioned
Because L stuck up for her husband D believes he was innocent
Assumes all people who know the two think the same
Conclusion:
Excerpt which confirms the major protagonists in their already given roles
Leonora as a woman who is intent on keeping up appearances
Dowell ignorant fool, One who prides himself on being an observer of human
nature yet misses any hint available
Nancy arises discreetly as the cause of future trouble
Only excerpt where E’s military career is mentioned in so much detail: apart
from passage where L criticizes deeds; seems to be worthy of D’s admiration
and yet, the passage subtly undermines the positive things that are said about
Edward.
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