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Chapter 31
Themes
and Colors
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The First Casualty, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
The Absurdity of War
Gender and Violence
Cowardice vs. Bravery
Art and War
Summary
Analysis
Kingsley walks into the SIS building and is surprised how sparse and unimpressive it looks. He enters the office of Sir Mansfield Cumming, the head of the SIS. Sir Cumming can tell Kingsley is unimpressed and takes a moment to complain to him about their low budget. Then, he offers Kingsley tea and asks if Shannon told him about Abercrombie. Kingsley confirms that Shannon told him a little bit, but not much. He also expresses his distaste for Shannon. Cumming acknowledges that Shannon is terrible, but he doesn’t mind too much because he is also useful.
In part, the SIS is unimpressive because it is a new institution that lacks the funding that would quickly flow into it following World War I. However, what it lacks in funding in makes up for in power. With little effort, the SIS broke Kingsley out of prison and declared him dead. Now, it is leading up a crucial investigation that could have major political ramifications for the war.
Active
Themes
As for the case itself, Cumming explains it is a delicate matter because Abercrombie’s death has led to fighting among party leaders. In particular, the Labour party suspects Hopkins did not kill Abercrombie, and that Hopkins is being blamed for it because of his political beliefs. Cumming admits that there are several pieces of evidence that suggests Hopkins may not be to blame, even though he was found with the gun that killed Abercrombie. First, Hopkins swears that he did not do it. Second, there are two eyewitnesses who say they saw someone else leaving Abercrombie’s tent. One of these eyewitnesses is a Communist like Hopkins, whose testimony could be easy to dismiss, but the other is from a nurse.
Notably, Cumming’s concern for the case is entirely about optics and not at all related to higher principles such as truth and justice. While his interests might be cynical, the same can be said for the political parties interested in the case. The Labour party wants to use the wrongful arrest of Hopkins to their advantage, just as the Liberal party (who is currently in charge) wants to cover up Abercrombie’s death altogether to ensure it does not cause problems for the war effort.
Active
Themes
Cumming explains that party leaders and even the Prime Minister want Kingsley to investigate the case because he is a disinterested party. By saying this, Cumming knows he is appealing to Kingsley’s ego, though it is also true. However, because Kingsley was a controversial figure, the SIS had to fake his death because the leaders of the country did not want to cause a stir in the public; in fact, they did not want the public to even know there was a case. At the moment the only people who suspect something may be amiss are those at the frontline, and Cumming intends to keep it that way.
Active
Themes
Cumming tells Kingsley that he will take on a new identity to solve the case. After the case is over, Kingsley will be allowed to live out his days in Australia. Kingsley asks if he will be allowed to see his family. Cumming says he will not. Still, suspicious, Kingsley thinks about whether the SIS will try to kill him after the case is over. Cumming seems to know what Kingsley is thinking and assures him the SIS does not traffic in murder.
Active
Themes
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