The Soldier's Art

The Soldier's Art

"The Soldier's Art" is the eighth novel in Anthony Powell's twelve-volume masterpiece "A Dance to the Music of Time", and the second in the war trilogy. It was published in 1966, and touches on themes of separation and unanticipated loss.

The language, always exact, sometimes sardonic, also takes on the quality of blank verse in dealing with episodes that echo classical mythology. Memorable new characters like Finn are introduced with spare precision, but kept separate from the original participants in the Dance for several of whom this proves to be the last turn upon the floor.

Considerable fun is had with the juxtaposition of disparate characters, shorn of their peacetime identities and struggling to conform to their notion of military stereotype. Their confrontation with regular soldiers is acutely observed, as is the politicking within divisional HQ. The mess dialogue between two senior staff officers presents a classic - and revealing - sketch of military life that has struck chords with admirers of Evelyn Waugh's "Sword of Honour" trilogy.

Plot summary

At the start of 1941 Jenkins is stationed at divisional HQ and allocated to lowly F Mess with the obnoxious Captain Biggs. During an exercise Jenkins has dinner with General Liddament who recommends him to Finn. Widmerpool is humiliated by Colonel Hogbourne-Johnson, and plots revenge. Stringham turns up as Mess Waiter for F Mess.

On leave in London Nick has an unsuccessful interview with Finn for a liaison posting with the Free French forces. He has a drink with Chips Lovell who desires a reconciliation with Priscilla, despite her affair with Odo Stevens. Moreland, now living with Audrey Maclintick, dines with Nick. Audrey, Priscilla and Stevens arrive to join the party, but Priscilla leaves in distress.

Later that night Jenkins is told that a bomb falling on the Café de Madrid has killed almost everyone, including Chips. Nick sets off to the Jeavons's to inform Priscilla, only to find the house also bombed, Lady Molly and Priscilla being killed.

On return to divisional HQ, Jenkins finds Stringham has been transferred to the mobile laundry. Stringham and Nick try to cover up for Bithel's drunkenness, but their efforts are foiled and Widmerpool has Bithel dismissed from the army.

Farebrother brings news of the disaster awaiting Widmerpool in consequence of the latter's machinations. Jenkins fails to persuade Stringham to leave the mobile laundry before it is posted to the Far East. Captain Biggs hangs himself in the cricket pavilion ("And him so fond of the game."). Jenkins receives orders to report to the War Office.
* [http://www.anthonypowell.org.uk/dance/dancesum.htm Adapted in part from material published by the Anthony Powell Society with consent]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • The Valley of Bones — infobox Book | name = The Valley of Bones title orig = translator = image caption = author = Anthony Powell illustrator = cover artist = country = United Kingdom language = English series = A Dance to the Music of Time genre = Novel publisher =… …   Wikipedia

  • The Disney Gallery — Disneyland Land Main Street, U.S.A. Opening date October 2, 2009 …   Wikipedia

  • The Teenie Weenies — was a comic strip created and illustrated by William Donahey that first appeared in 1914 in the Chicago Tribune and ran for over 50 years. cite web|url= http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/whi/feature/teenie/|title= William Donahey s Teenie… …   Wikipedia

  • The Claw of the Conciliator —   …   Wikipedia

  • Art theft — is the theft of art. This is usually done for the purpose of resale or ransom; occasionally thieves are also commissioned by dedicated private collectors. Stolen art is also often used between criminals in an underworld banking system as… …   Wikipedia

  • The Forever War (graphic novel) — The Forever War Cover of Volume I. The style and art quality of the cover are representative of the actual graphic novel. Mandella is standing in the foreground Publication information Pub …   Wikipedia

  • The Gate of Calais — Artist William Hogarth Year 1748 Type Oil on canvas Dimensions 80 cm × 96 cm (31 in × 37⅝ in) Location …   Wikipedia

  • The Antichrist (book) — The Antichrist   Cover of the 2005 Cosimo edition …   Wikipedia

  • Art nude — The Wave (La Vague), an 1896 oil painting by William Adolphe Bouguereau …   Wikipedia

  • The Pearce Collections at Navarro College — The Pearce Collections Museum is a museum in Corsicana, Texas containing two galleries, a Western Art Museum and a Civil War Museum. It is located in the Cook Center at Navarro College. Location The Pearce Collections are located in the Cook… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”