# VII: The "Washen Face" in War Time explained — A Day at a Time

> Chapter companion for A Day at a Time by Archibald Alexander.

## What happens

The chapter uses Joseph's example of washing his face and restraining his emotions to discuss the quiet heroism of war-mourners and families of soldiers during wartime. It highlights the dignity of bearing sorrow with a cheerful and composed demeanor, drawing on the courage of those who have lost loved ones or have loved ones at the front, and frames this as a noble contribution to the nation's moral strength.

## Themes in this chapter

### Cheerfulness and Resilience

The chapter celebrates the 'cult of the washen face' as a form of cheerfulness and resilience, where individuals bear sorrow and anxiety with a brave and composed demeanor.

### Sacrifice and Duty

The chapter highlights the sacrifice of soldiers and the duty of mourners and families to carry their sorrow nobly, contributing to the nation's moral steadfastness.

### Faith and Trust in God

The chapter emphasizes faith in God as the source of strength for bearing sorrow, with references to prayer and the assurance of divine presence in secret chambers.

## Character check-ins

### Joseph

Joseph's act of washing his face and restraining his emotions upon seeing his brother Benjamin is used as the central biblical model for the 'washen face' attitude.

### Unknown

The narrator observes and reflects on the courage of war-mourners and families, sharing a personal encounter with a young wife whose husband returned to the trenches.

### Joy

Joy is addressed in the prayer as the one who comes out from secret chambers with a shining face, embodying the 'washen face' ideal.

## Key lines

> And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.

Joseph composed himself after weeping, cleaned his face, and proceeded to fulfill his duties by ordering the meal to be served.

_This verse from Genesis 43:31 is the foundational text for the chapter's theme of emotional restraint and duty._

> I, with uncovered head, Salute the sacred dead, Who went and who return not— Say not so. ’Tis not the grapes of Canaan that repay, But the high faith that fails not by the way. Virtue treads paths that end not in the grave; No bar of endless night exiles the brave, And, to the saner mind, We rather seem the dead that stayed behind.

Lowell's poem honors the fallen soldiers, suggesting that their sacrifice is not about earthly reward but about unwavering faith, and that the living are the ones who remain behind.

_The narrator uses this poem to articulate the pride and perspective of war-mourners who see death in battle as a glorious and meaningful sacrifice._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_day_at_a_time_se/chapters/vii-the-washen-face-in-war-time
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_day_at_a_time_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_day_at_a_time_se/chapters