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Chapter 33
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
Cumming and Kingsley go to Kingsley’s favorite lunch place, Simpsons, to enjoy a meal. They also want to put Kingsley’s new identity to the test. On the way there, Shannon joins them. At the restaurant, no one recognizes Kingsley. As they dine, Kingsley asks Shannon for more details about the crime scene. He learns that the nurse, Murray, and the Communist, McCroon, saw a mysterious officer leave Abercrombie’s room around the same time. However, both only saw his silhouette. Additionally, Kingsley learns that the authorities found Hopkins with Abercrombie’s gun almost immediately after they found Abercrombie’s body. Although there is no absolute proof it was the murder weapon, it had recently been discharged.
In addition to the information provided here, the reader also knows that Abercrombie was in charge of punishing Hopkins, who already despised Abercrombie because of his class status and poetry. These added elements make Hopkins seem like the prime suspect in the case. However, the reader also knows that Stamford spent some time with Abercrombie not long before he died. Although the description of their time together provided in Chapter 15 does not sound like murder was on the horizon, the narrative is vague enough that Stamford also sounds like a possible suspect.
Active
Themes
After everyone is done eating, Cumming leaves, while Shannon stays behind to give Kingsley the rest of his instructions. Shannon also reveals that he had someone tailing Kingsley when Kingsley returned to his house the night before. Kingsley assures Shannon he did not reveal himself to his family, though he is upset he did not know he was being followed. Shannon also tells Kingsley that he was the one who told Agnes her husband was dead. Shannon crudely remarks upon Agnes’s looks and tells Kingsley that he is sure someone else will come along and make her happy. Kingsley warns Shannon that he will kill him if he ever lays a finger on Agnes.
