Under Fire: The Story of a Squad: Analysis of Major Characters
"Under Fire: The Story of a Squad: Analysis of Major Characters" delves into the lives of a group of soldiers during the harrowing experiences of war, focusing on their backgrounds, relationships, and the impact of conflict on their psyches. Among the key characters is Volpatte, a bitter and disillusioned soldier who grapples with his hospital experiences and the behaviors of both patients and medical staff. Eudore, a former café keeper, faces tragedy when a long-awaited night with his wife is marred by the presence of soldiers, ultimately leading to his death while on patrol. The narrative also highlights Joseph Mesnil, who suffers profound grief from the loss of his brothers, and Corporal Bertrand, a respected leader whose serious demeanor earns him admiration among his peers, yet he too meets a tragic end.
Other notable characters include Lamuse, a peasant whose life is cut short, and Paradis, who engages in philosophical discussions about war with the narrator. The text paints a poignant picture of camaraderie and loss, emphasizing the harsh realities faced by soldiers, including those who met unfortunate fates like Cocon, Bicquet, and Barque. Through the narrator's reflections, the story conveys a deep sense of mourning and a critical examination of the brutality and chaos inherent in warfare, inviting readers to contemplate the human experiences within such turmoil.
Under Fire: The Story of a Squad: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Henri Barbusse
First published: Le Feu: Journal d'une escouade, 1916 (English translation, 1917)
Genre: Novel
Locale: France
Plot: Political
Time: 1914–1915
Volpatte (vohl-PAT), a square-faced, jaundiced-looking, broken-nosed man who is hospitalized after almost losing his ears but returns bitter about the men in the hospital, both the malingering patients and the arrogant staff members.
Eudore (ew-DOHR), a pale, pleasant-faced former keeper of a roadside café. Ironically, the one night of furlough he spends with his wife is spoiled by the presence of four soldiers taken in because of a heavy rain. He is later killed on patrol.
Poterloo (poh-tehr-LEW), a pink-faced, blond former miner who accompanies some friendly German privates to an Alsatian village to see his wife and is shocked to see her enjoying herself with a German sergeant. He is later killed.
Joseph Mesnil (zhoh-SEHF meh-NEEL), one of six brothers, four of whom already have been killed by 1915. Almost maddened by the death of his last remaining brother, Joseph is later wounded and is taken by the narrator to a dressing station.
André Mesnil (ahn-DRAY), Joseph's brother, a former chemist, who is killed on patrol.
Corporal Bertrand (behr-TRAHN), a leader who is soldierly, serious, and friendly to and respected by his squad. He is killed.
Lamuse (lah-MEWZ), a fat, ruddy-faced peasant, killed on patrol.
Paradis (pah-rah-DEE), a plump, fat-cheeked, baby-faced former carter. He often discusses war with the narrator.
Cocon (koh-KOHN), a slight, desiccated ironmonger. He is killed.
Tirloir (teer-LWAHR), the former manager of a traveling circus, sent back from the trenches with dysentery.
Bicquet (bee-KAY), a squat, gray-faced, heavy-chinned Breton, killed on patrol.
Barque (bahrk), a Parisian porter and tricycle messenger, killed on patrol.
Fouillade (fwee-LAHD), a middle-aged, tall, long-jawed, and goateed soldier from southern France.
The narrator, apparently the author, who remembers his friends, grieving for those who have died and brooding on the filth, brutality, and nausea of war experience.