Disenchantment · Chapter
XIII: The Old Age of the War explained
The chapter reflects on the disillusionment of soldiers after the Armistice, as they enter Cologne and witness the hollow victory and the rise of vengeful, petty politics at home, contrasting the earlier ideals of the war with the bitter re
What happens
The chapter reflects on the disillusionment of soldiers after the Armistice, as they enter Cologne and witness the hollow victory and the rise of vengeful, petty politics at home, contrasting the earlier ideals of the war with the bitter reality of a peace that feels like failure.
Themes in this chapter
Disillusionment and Disenchantment
Soldiers find the taste of victory hollow; the joy of reaching the Rhine is absent, replaced by a sense of having been fooled.
Propaganda and Deception
The chapter criticizes politicians and the press for exploiting the war for votes and promoting revenge, betraying the soldiers' sacrifices.
Loss of Innocence and Illusion
The 'generous youth of the war' is dead; the flame of idealism has been extinguished by mean fears and desires.
National Character and Education
The soldiers' conduct in Cologne reflects an 'older England' of chivalry, contrasted with the vengeful spirit of the home front.
Characters to notice
- Unknown Narrator
The narrator observes the scene in Cologne, reflects on the soldiers' disillusionment, and recounts Haig's speech.
- Sir Douglas Haig
Haig speaks to a few men on the Hohenzollern bridge, warning against repeating Germany's post-1870 arrogance.
- Hamilton
General Sir Ian Hamilton is quoted criticizing the Treaty of Versailles for lacking generosity.
- The Kaiser
The Kaiser's mounted statue is described as a symbol of pride, towering over the scene in Cologne.
- Lucifer
Germany is compared to Lucifer, fallen and broken, in a reference to its downfall.
- Shakespeare
Shakespeare is referenced in the soldiers' adherence to Henry V's orders about conduct in conquered territory.
Key passages
“To win what your youth had desired, and find the taste of it gone, is said to be one of the standard pains of old age.”
Achieving a long-sought goal only to find it unsatisfying is a common sorrow of growing old.
Reflects the soldiers' hollow victory upon reaching the Rhine.
“The heart that knoweth its own bitterness need not always avow it straight off.”
A person who feels deep disappointment may not express it immediately.
Describes the silent reaction of the two soldiers on the bridge.
“I hope to God that there's going to be no rot about not kicking a man when he's down.”
I sincerely hope we won't have any nonsense about showing mercy to a defeated enemy.
A senior general expresses the vengeful attitude prevalent among noncombatants.
“We had failed—had won the fight and lost the prize; the garland of the war was withered before it was gained.”
We achieved military victory but lost the moral purpose; the reward of the war decayed before we could grasp it.
Summarizes the sense of betrayal and futility felt by the soldiers.