Parade's End

Christopher hears a cornet playing a tune from the 17th century. The music makes him think of that era and what made it so grand. He also thinks about Campion and Sylvia. The General will probably marry Sylvia after he is dead.

In the trenches, the soldiers are still awaiting the barrage. Christopher hates the waiting—the unanswerable question about death. Perowne had asked him what death was like shortly before he was killed. A sergeant beside him remarks that he wishes he could stand up on a hill. McKechnie comes by and wants to talk to Christopher about command. He wants Christopher to stand up for the Colonel, who was recently removed from command of the battalion. However, Christopher will only mention to the Medical Orderly that he thinks the Colonel needs sick leave. The Colonel had been drunk the night before when Christopher was forced to take command and withdraw as per orders. McKechnie is angry. Christopher thinks about the nature of English and professional soldiers.

Christopher compares the machinations of an army to a chronometer, an impeccably accurate timepiece. He admires the way a soldier performed the other night, firing into the darkness of the advancing enemy. Christopher contemplates the Colonel. He was a good commander who implemented tactics that won the battalion respect and a good reputation. However, the reputation also placed the unit in many dangerous situations. Christopher remarks how loathsome a position he is in having to take over command. McKechnie wants the Colonel back in command as soon as possible. Christopher won’t budge; he does not believe the Colonel is physically capable to command. McKechnie rants and raves that Christopher only wants the command pay. Christopher thinks about the command, the extra pay, and what he can do with it after the war. He contemplates the nature of the English gentleman. Christopher dismisses McKechnie. Before leaving, McKechnie gives Christopher the translated sonnet. The Latin makes Christopher think of Valentine, which surprises him. McKechnie informs Christopher that General Campion is coming. Christopher is officially taking over command of the battalion: “It means the Single Command” (594).

McKechnie is talking to the others in the dugout about the sonnet. Christopher is given a large packet of paperwork. Lt. Lieutenant Aranjuez, the son of a poet, is in awe of Christopher’s poetic abilities.

The battalion’s paperwork is a mess. A certain private, 64 Smith, is wanted for questioning. Christopher tells McKechnie to get back to his unit. Christopher and Aranjuez then go into the trenches. Christopher ruminates on several topics, including death, the pitiful number of reinforcements they received, and the oddity of he, an English country gentleman, walking with Aranjuez, a Portuguese Catholic. Christopher feels the weight of the war on his shoulders. The German barrage is due to begin in one minute. It is late. When something does happen, it sounds to Christopher like anti-aircraft artillery. A runner comes and tells Christopher the Colonel wants to see him. While walking to the Colonel, Christopher thinks about Valentine: “He thought he suddenly understood. For the Lincolnshire sergeant-major the word Peace meant that a man could stand up on a hill. For him it meant someone to talk to” (607).

Christopher stands before the Colonel and undergoes a type of inspection. He passes the inspection, and he and the Colonel come to respect one another. Christopher is officially given command of the battalion. Christopher thinks about Valentine and the command pay. However, the Colonel asks to borrow some money from Chris; he understands Christopher is rich. The amount is the exact amount of command pay. Christopher has a conflict of character but agrees. He doesn’t have the money, but he can guarantee it. Before leaving, Christopher asks about how best to communicate between units. The Colonel has no answer.

The news that Campion is coming has changed everything. It has been a terrible war of attrition. Christopher looks for a way to improve communications. Christopher remembers the captured German soldier, who accidentally gave them information about a large, German offensive. It is possible the soldier had been a plant and not a deserter. Christopher speaks with the Officer in Charge of Alpha Company (OC of A Co.) about civilian interference in military matters. They hope for change when the General arrives. Christopher is amazed to see himself increasingly connecting with the common soldier. He and the OC move off to inspect a machine-gun emplacement.

Christopher contemplates the situation of his battalion and that of the Germans. He is angry at the Germans because they are keeping him from Valentine. A soldier recognizes him as Christopher Tietjens of Groby. He asks Christopher to put in a good word for him after the war. Christopher contemplates Groby. He feels he has done his duty with regard to his son, Michael. He hasn’t heard Michael, but figures Sylvia would not have allowed the boy to write. Christopher contemplates whether he should write to Valentine. The Germans begin another small barrage. Christopher heads back to his men inspecting the machine-gun emplacement. The earth moves. They are buried in dirt and mud. Soldiers come by and dig Christopher out. The three of them then dig out Aranjuez. Christopher helps Aranjuez and tells the other two soldiers to dig out Lance Corporal Duckett. Christopher carries Aranjuez. They are shot at from the German side. Christopher falls. Aranjuez clutches his face and runs off, leaving Christopher behind. The other soldiers have dug out Duckett and are administering rescue breathing. General Campion arrives and is displeased to find Christopher in command. The General threatens Christopher and leaves. A soldier comes by and reports to Christopher that Aranjuez will survive, but he lost his eye. That was Aranjuez’s greatest fear.