Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Good Soldier, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Marriage and Infidelity
The Manipulation of Reality
Class and Traditional Morality
Religion
Summary
Analysis
John reminisces about the time the Dowells and the Ashburnhams spent together. For the most part, their excursions were full of peace and happiness. They went on trips together, threw parties, and enjoyed each other’s company. In retrospect, John realizes that he should have spent more time getting to know the Ashburnhams intimately. Instead, he feels as though he wasted years of his life living a shallow existence.
All of John’s relationships are shallow. Not only does he not get to know the Ashburnhams, but he also only ever engages in superficial conversations with Florence.
Themes
When the group travels together, Florence always acts as a tour guide. She knows a lot about history and likes to show off her knowledge to the group. Despite Florence’s expertise, she is constantly outclassed by Leonora who always seems to know more. One notable trip the four took together was to the city of M— in Prussia. Together, they visited the spot where Martin Luther originally stated his desire to separate himself from the Catholic Church. John recalls that on the way to M—, he saw a bull use its horns to throw another small animal into some water. Even though no one else thought it was funny, John remembers laughing at the sight. In retrospect, he realizes his response was callous, though at the time, he couldn’t help but be amused by the sight.
Here, John introduces a rivalry between Florence and Leonora. Evidently, their friendship is not as simple as John has made it seem. Additionally, this chapter of the novel provides proof of John’s sociopathic tendencies for those who want to interpret him in a less charitable way. After all, he laughs at the injury and possible death of a small animal, which no one else in his group finds funny. There are several moments like this throughout the novel where John seems to slip up and show that he is not as morally virtuous as he initially claimed.
Themes
When the group arrives in M—, they visit Martin Luther’s bedroom and look at his Protest, a document which differentiates Protestantism from Catholicism. Florence lectures the group about the importance of the document and in doing so makes disparaging remarks about Irish Catholics. During her lecture, she touches Edward’s hand, which causes Leonora to leave the room abruptly. As Leonora departs, she grabs John and brings him with her. Once out of earshot of Florence and Edward, Leonora tells John that “that” is “the cause of the whole miserable affair.” However, she does not specify what “that” is.
Martin Luther’s Protest is an important document in the religious history of England because it helped to fragment Christianity into various sects. In this scene, Leonora sees the physical contact between Edward and Florence and assumes the two of them are having an affair. She attempts to signal as much to John, but she does not say it explicitly.
Themes
John has a general sense that something about the day is off but cannot identify what. As such, he is puzzled by Leonora’s remarks. Realizing that John doesn’t know what is happening, Leonora pulls herself together. Knowing she needs an explanation for her behavior, Leonora tells John that she is offended that Florence would speak disparagingly about Irish Catholics because she is a member of the faith.
Evidently, John does not understand what Leonora is trying to imply. Whether he is really as oblivious as he claims to be is unclear at this point in the story. This moment also raises questions about Leonora’s character, specifically whether she’s right to hide the affair from John now that she knows about it.
Themes
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