# Mr. Blenkiron Discourses on Love and War explained — Mr. Standfast > Chapter companion for Mr. Standfast by John Buchan. ## What happens Hannay receives orders for special service in Paris, reflecting on his hatred for Ivery and his love for Mary. He meets Blenkiron and Mary in Paris, where Blenkiron reveals the success of their counter-intelligence operation against the 'Deep-breathing' cipher and Gresson's syndicate, which also provided a lead on Ivery. Blenkiron discusses Ivery's infatuation with Mary, seeing it as a potential weakness. Hannay undergoes briefings and preparations for his underground work, and he and Blenkiron discuss the nature of modern armies, praising the middle-class soldier. ## Themes in this chapter ### Love and Romance Hannay's deep love for Mary is central, and Blenkiron discusses Ivery's infatuation with her as a potential weakness. ### Deception and Disguise Blenkiron's undercover work in Switzerland and the counter-intelligence operation against the 'Deep-breathing' cipher highlight themes of deception. ### Comradeship and Loyalty Hannay's loyalty to his division and his bond with Blenkiron and Mary are emphasized. ## Character check-ins ### Richard Hannay Narrator; receives orders for Paris, reflects on his hatred for Ivery and love for Mary, and undergoes briefings for special service. ### John S. Blenkiron Reveals the success of the 'Deep-breathing' cipher operation and discusses Ivery's infatuation with Mary as a potential weakness. ### Mary Lamington Dines with Hannay and Blenkiron in Paris; Blenkiron notes Ivery's infatuation with her. ### Moxon Ivery The primary antagonist; Blenkiron discusses his infatuation with Mary and the lead obtained from the cipher operation. ### Abel Gresson Mentioned as the backer of the 'Deep-breathing' syndicate; Blenkiron confirms he has been dealt with. ## Key lines > I had almost lost interest in my division, for I knew that for me the real battlefront was not in Picardy, and that my job was not so easy as holding a length of line. Hannay felt detached from his division because he understood his true mission lay elsewhere, not in the trenches. _Hannay's shift in focus from conventional warfare to his secret mission against Ivery._ > I felt very humble, too, and very kindly towards all the world—even to the Boche, though I can't say I had ever hated him very wildly. Hannay felt humbled and benevolent, even toward the Germans, whom he never truly hated. _Hannay's emotional state after his night with Mary, contrasting his hatred for Ivery._ > It had been like ranging shots for a gun—first short, second over, and I vowed that the third should be dead on the mark. His previous attempts against Ivery were like adjusting artillery fire, and he was determined the next would succeed. _Hannay's determination to finally defeat Ivery._ > He took the biggest view, for he was statesman as well as soldier, and knew that the whole world was one battlefield and every man and woman among the combatant nations was in the battle-line. The commander saw the war as a global conflict involving everyone, not just soldiers. _The commander's broad perspective on total war._ > Suddenly he meets something that is as fresh and lovely as a spring flower, and has wits too, and the steeliest courage, and yet is all youth and gaiety. Ivery encountered a woman who was beautiful, intelligent, brave, and youthful, which was a new experience for him. _Blenkiron's analysis of Ivery's infatuation with Mary._ > The hero of this war is the plain man out of the middle class, who wants to get back to his home and is going to use all the brains and grit he possesses to finish the job soon. The typical middle-class soldier, motivated by a desire to return home, is the true hero of the war. _Hannay's reflection on the nature of modern armies._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-ii-xiv-mr-blenkiron-discourses-on-love-and-war - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mr_standfast_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters