“The Narrator In Generals Die In Bed Reveals To Us His Values Throughout The Novel. Do You Agree?” Essay

“The narrator of Generals* Die in Bed* reveals little of his true self.” Discuss.

In many ways the narrator does reveal himself through the language he uses. His words are simple and he speaks in the terminology that journalists would use. He reveals a little about himself when he quotes “a line from one of Wilde’s poems.” “He who lives more lives that one, more deaths that one must die.” This shows that he knows his English and is well educated and likes Wilde’s poems. He also mentions that he is “eighteen and has not had any experiences with women like this”, he says to show his innocence. Also when the narrator talks about “camaraderie – esprit de corps – good fellowship” he goes on to talk about how “these are words journalist use” which implies he is familiar with that terminology. Harrison has also made the narrator use inclusive language “we are back in line... we fight among ourselves.” This is to represent that the narrator speaks on behalf of all the soldiers. Also throughout the novel there are sentences which are short, “I try to sleep. I cannot. I am proud of myself.” He does this when he writes about how he feels to show that this is his thought pattern and how he thinks during the war.

Furthermore we learn about his feelings. During the bombardment he talks about he’s feelings “I am terrified... I begin to pray.” It is during the times when the narrator is confronted by horrible experiences does he start to use exclusive language and reveal his inner thoughts and feelings. Once the ordeals are over the narrator reverts back to using inclusive language. We also learn that he feels guilt, especially after the murder of Karl “who was Karl? Why did I have to kill him?” these questions show that he questions himself and that he did not want to kill Karl. Karl is not just another German soldier...