Chapter IX explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Critique of Nationalism and Propaganda

  Martha criticizes the circular reasoning of war advocates and the role of newspapers in stirring up enmity, highlighting how historical works are used to renew old hatreds.

• Peace and International Arbitration

  Martha argues for peace and suggests arbitration courts as a way to avoid war, countering her father's pro-war positions.

• Family and Social Pressure

  Martha's father pressures the family with militaristic toasts and expectations, while Martha feels the weight of family debates about war.

• Grief and Psychological Trauma

  Martha reflects on the fatigue and excitement from her arguments with her father, and the underlying dread of war's death and suffering.

Characters to notice

• Martha Tilling

  Narrator and protagonist; reflects on her arguments with her father about war and peace, and observes the New Year's celebration.

• Frederick Tilling

  Martha's husband; mentioned as the source of her perfect bliss, contrasted with Lilly's engagement to Conrad.

• Countess Martha Althaus

  Martha's mother; present at the New Year's celebration, but not directly quoted.

• Conrad Althaus

  Martha's cousin; becomes engaged to Lilly at the New Year's party, kissing her at midnight.

• Lilly

  Conrad's fiancée; accepts his proposal at the New Year's celebration.

• Aunt Mary

  Fatalistic aunt; debates with Martha about destiny and war, arguing that those who die in battle were destined to die.

• Dr. Bresser

  Mentioned in Martha's father's New Year's toast, wishing him many patients.

• Otto

  Martha's brother; mentioned in her father's toast, wishing him distinction in his examination and soldierly virtues.

Key passages

• “The little invisible egg which contains the casus belli is brooded over so long that at last the monster creeps out of it.”

  The hidden cause of war is nurtured over time until it inevitably emerges as a full-blown conflict.

  Martha uses a metaphor to describe how the casus belli develops and leads to war.

• “My preparations are defensive. Your preparations are offensive. I must prepare because you are preparing. I am preparing because you prepare. Then let us prepare, Yes, let us go on preparing.”

  Both sides claim their military preparations are defensive, each blaming the other, leading to an escalating cycle of armament.

  Martha parodies the diplomatic exchange between Austria and Prussia.

• “War is a horrible evil, but it must exist. I grant it is not a necessity, but it is a great good.”

  War advocates contradict themselves by calling war both an inevitable evil and a beneficial good.

  Martha critiques the illogical reasoning of those who defend war.