Jack Firebrace

Part 2 introduces us to a new character; Jack Firebrace. His job is to dig out under No Man's Land in order to reach the German lines as an element of 'surprise' for the enemy. Jack is thirty-eight, older than many of his colleagues, and seems to have earned their respect. He is married, with a son named John, whom he idealises.

Jack must contemplate his own morality quite early in the story. Having fallen asleep while on duty, he is caught by Weir and Wraysford and faces a court martial which may result in possible execution by firing squad. Alone with his thoughts, he realises that, despite witnessing an obscene amount of death and destruction, he is unprepared for the end of his own life. He longs to be alive in order to see his wife and son again, not because he feels he is more deserving than those who have died before him. It seems to me that throughout the stress he feels during his time in the war, Jack's faith in God remains intact. His beliefs, however, are shaken when standing behind the lines in an elevated position, he looks down on the carnage of the battlefield. This is where he becomes aware that his trust in God has died. He cannot believe that his God would allow the wholesale destruction of so many lives. The battle of the Somme destroyed something within him. The war destroyed something within him, which even the death of his own son has been unable to shake.

I personally feel that Jack's role in the novel is partially to demonstrate how much the human soul can tolerate. He shows us that in World War 1, Men were prepared to push themselves to their limits, but would no doubt, eventually reach a point where they could go no further.

I hope my lovely English teacher is a happy bunny!