The Luck of Barry Lyndon · Chapter
VI: The Crimp Wagon—Military Episodes explained
Barry is transported in a crimp wagon with other prisoners to serve in the Prussian army.
What happens
Barry is transported in a crimp wagon with other prisoners to serve in the Prussian army. He endures the harsh conditions and reflects on his situation with philosophical resignation. He describes the brutal discipline of the Prussian military, including frequent canings, and his own strategy to avoid degradation by threatening violence. He recounts the story of a French conspirator, Le Blondin, who led a failed mutiny. Barry adapts to soldier life, becomes known as the 'Black Englander,' and earns rewards for bravery but no promotion.
Themes in this chapter
Violence and Dueling
The chapter details the brutal discipline of the Prussian army, including canings and the threat of violence. Barry's use of a bullet around his neck to deter punishment and the story of Le Blondin's axe attack highlight the pervasive violence.
Fate and Luck
Barry reflects on his misfortune of being captured and enlisted, but resolves to make the best of his situation. The failed conspiracy due to a clock discrepancy underscores the role of chance.
Class and Pedigree
Barry is concerned about his social degradation as a private soldier, noting that no one from his acquaintance will witness his shame. The Prussian army's dismissal of non-noble officers in peacetime also touches on class.
Characters to notice
- Barry Lyndon
Narrates his transport in the crimp wagon, his wounded head, and his philosophical acceptance of his situation. He adapts to Prussian military life, becomes known as the 'Black Englander,' and uses a bullet around his neck to deter corporal punishment.
- Captain Fagan
Mentioned as the officer Barry previously served under in the English army, but not present in this chapter.
- Monsieur de Potzdorff
Not directly mentioned in the excerpts; no significant role in this chapter.
- Old Fritz
Not directly mentioned; the King Frederick is referenced indirectly through the 'glorious Frederick' and the Prussian military system.
Key passages
“I was not near so unhappy, in spite of all, as I had been on my first enlisting in Ireland. At least, thought I, if I am degraded to be a private soldier there will be no one of my acquaintance who will witness my shame; and that is the point which I have always cared for most.”
Barry feels less miserable than when he first enlisted in Ireland, because now no one he knows will see his lowly status as a private soldier, which is his primary concern.
Barry's vanity and concern for social reputation persist even in captivity.
“I wore a bullet around my neck, which I did not take the pains to conceal, and I gave out that it should be for the man or officer who caused me to be chastised.”
Barry openly carries a bullet as a threat, vowing to use it on anyone who tries to cane him.
Barry's defiance against the brutal Prussian discipline, using the threat of violence to protect himself.
“I do not intend to make a history of battles in the Prussian any more than in the English service. I did my duty in them as well as another, and by the time that my moustache had grown to a decent length, which it did when I was twenty years of age, there was not a braver, cleverer, handsomer, and I must own, wickeder soldier in the Prussian army.”
Barry skips detailed battle accounts, but boasts that by age twenty he was the bravest, cleverest, handsomest, and most wicked soldier in the Prussian army.
Barry's self-aggrandizing tone, blending pride in his skills with a hint of moral corruption.