Now It Can Be Told · Chapter
Part VI: Psychology on the Somme explained
This chapter explores the complex psychological state of soldiers during the Battle of the Somme, contrasting fear, heroism, and camaraderie.
What happens
This chapter explores the complex psychological state of soldiers during the Battle of the Somme, contrasting fear, heroism, and camaraderie. It also details the German perspective, including their morale, losses, and the oppressive atmosphere behind their lines.
Themes in this chapter
Psychological Trauma
Men became 'jibbering idiots with shell-shock,' and the narrator describes the seared remembrance of tragedy.
Comradeship and Human Spirit
Despite horrors, men showed gallantry, gaiety, and pride in their units, with spiritual fervor to save comrades.
Propaganda and Deception
German officers forced soldiers to sing patriotic songs to boost morale, but the songs broke down.
Postwar Disillusionment
The narrator is 'still seared with its remembrance,' indicating lasting disillusionment from the conflict.
Characters to notice
- Unknown Narrator
The narrator reflects on the tragic drama of the Somme and his own psychological responses as a correspondent.
- The Officer
An elderly officer in Contalmaison speaks glowingly about the possibility of death for one's country.
- The Boy
The soldier-artist, a normal man, expresses fear of death, contrasting with the officer's exaltation.
- The Germans
German soldiers are described as gloomy, forced to sing, and suffering heavy losses and low morale.
- The British
British troops are depicted with pride, rivalry, and protective egotism in the trenches.
Key passages
“Men were afraid, but fear was not their dominating emotion, except in the worst hours.”
Fear was present but not always the primary feeling among soldiers.
Highlights the complexity of soldiers' emotions during battle.
“They were quick to kill him, yet quick also to give him a chance of life by surrender, and after that were—nine times out of ten—chivalrous and kindly, but incredibly brutal on the rare occasions when passion overcame them at some tale of treachery.”
Soldiers could be both ruthless and merciful, with rare outbursts of brutality.
Illustrates the dual nature of combatants' behavior.
“This protective egotism seemed to me the instinctive soul-armor of men in dangerous places when I saw them in the line.”
Self-centered focus on one's own safety was a natural defense mechanism.
Describes the psychological coping strategy of soldiers.
“The German command expected a heavy blow and, prepared for it, but as yet had no knowledge of the driving force behind it.”
The German leadership anticipated an attack but underestimated its strength.
Reveals the strategic miscalculation by the German High Command.
“Sing, you sheeps’ heads, sing!”
Officers ordered soldiers to sing, calling them derogatory names.
Shows the coercive methods used to maintain morale.