The Return of the Soldier is a novel by Rebecca West, published in 1918. It tells the story of Chris Baldry, a soldier who returns home from World War I with amnesia, and his struggle to regain his identity and place in society.
Chris has been serving in the war for several years, and when he returns home, he is a changed man. He has no memory of his past, and is only able to remember snippets of his life before the war. He is also prone to violent outbursts and has difficulty controlling his emotions.
As Chris tries to piece together his past, he is aided by his cousin, Jenny, and his former lover, Kitty. Both women are deeply in love with Chris, and are determined to help him regain his memory and return to his former self. However, their efforts are complicated by the fact that Chris has forgotten his relationship with Kitty, and now only remembers Jenny as a close friend.
As Chris struggles to regain his identity, he is also faced with the challenge of reintegrating into society after the trauma of war. He is unable to cope with the changes that have occurred in the world while he was away, and is overwhelmed by the expectations placed on him by those around him.
Ultimately, Chris is able to regain his memory and return to his former life, but not without facing difficult challenges and making sacrifices along the way. The Return of the Soldier is a poignant exploration of the impact of war on the human psyche, and the difficulties of rebuilding one's life after experiencing trauma.
The Return of the Soldier by Rebecca West Plot Summary
Jenny feels ashamed that such an incident is connected to Chris, and she is touched by Mrs. Chris continued talking about Margaret Allington, that he loved her and wanted to marry her. Gilbert Anderson to help unscramble her husband's feelings for the women in his new disoriented life, including his all-too caring cousin Jenny, but ultimately, comes to realize that the man she knew is unreachable, as dead as the past for which he pines. Jenny recognises, even from a distance, that Chris' whole bearing has changed and he is no longer trapped in his youth. Seeing that part of his brown and gold hair has turned silver, Jenny cries out, and Chris turns to greet her. The second date is today's date ā the date you are citing the material. Watching them, Jenny realizes that Margaret has been generous to her and Kitty, too.
The Return of the Soldier by Rebecca West
As their relationship blossoms, it becomes apparent that his attachment to her is one of a childlike nature. Doctor was astonished that nobody told him that the patient had lost the son and Kitty said she thought it was not significant. Ā» Inquiries Journal provides undergraduate and graduate students around the world a platform for the wide dissemination of academic work over a range of core disciplines. Jenny further realizes that if they truly love Chris, they must safeguard his human dignity. Virtually no women appear in these narratives, and if they do they are primarily supportive, one-dimensional characters. The only exception is that Kitty's husband, Chris Baldry, is a British soldier fighting in France. After some conversation, Jenny convinces Margaret to return with her to the estate in order to help Chris.
The Return of the Soldier Chapter 6 Summary & Analysis
They also remind the reader that outside the charming insularity of Baldry Court, Britain is not nearly so prosperous, pouring all of its financial resources into a war that will cost the country its economic and imperialist eminence. Anderson says this is because Chris is suppressing some sort of strong desire. Her debut novel, The Return of the Soldier, tells the story of Captain Chris Baldry, who struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder in the wake of returning home from trench warfare during World War I. Kitty, on the other hand, is made utterly miserable by everything that's happened since Chris' return. The second is the date of publication online or last modification online. Margaret was the local inn-keeper's daughter, Chris says. Grey with an animalāan endearing yet dispensable figureāeven in her growing sympathy.
