# XII explained — William—An Englishman

> Chapter companion for William—An Englishman by Cicely Hamilton.

## What happens

William Tully, after finding Griselda's body, spends the night in vigil and grief. With the help of an Englishwoman and a priest, he arranges her burial and prepares to flee the advancing German army.

## Themes in this chapter

### Grief and Isolation

William's profound grief and sense of isolation are central, as he mourns Griselda and struggles to communicate in a foreign land.

### War and Illusion

The brutality of war shatters William's peaceful life, as he confronts the reality of death and displacement.

## Character check-ins

### William Tully

Grieves over Griselda's body, spends a sleepless night, and is comforted by an Englishwoman.

### Griselda Tully

Found dead, her body is washed and laid out; William views her and recalls their wedding.

### Edith Haynes

The Englishwoman who assists William, speaks to him in English, and helps arrange Griselda's burial.

### The Priest

Arranges for Griselda's body to be brought to the presbytery and conducts the funeral rites.

## Key lines

> Would God that I had died instead!

William wishes he had died in Griselda's place.

_Expresses his overwhelming grief and guilt._

> the sound of the familiar, comprehensible English was as the breaking of an iron barrier between him and the rest of mankind.

Hearing English makes William feel connected to humanity again.

_Highlights his isolation and the comfort of shared language._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/william_an_englishman_se/chapters/xii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/william_an_englishman_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/william_an_englishman_se/chapters