The Good Soldier
by: Ford Madox Ford
The Novel
This is the first, original version of this novel, and the original cover and title.
Published?
This Novel was published in 1915
The Aurthor
Setting & Point of View
The story takes place just before World War One.The story is told from John Dowell's point of view.It is also told from a series of flashbacks and some of the events that are told do not happen in chronological order.
Connecticut, India, England.
Characters
John Dowell-narrator of the novel. He guides the reader through the story.
Florence Dowell-the wife of John. She is manipulative and unfaithful. She used John for his money and has an affair with someone else.
Edward Ashburnham- married but falls in love with women he meets. He is a somewhat hopeless man.
Leonora Ashburnham-married to Edward and tries to control him because he is always trying to get other women.
La Dolciquita-a spanish dancer.First affair with Edward.She wants his money. Edward doesnt see this and become attached to her.
Maisie Maidan- Young,pretty woman who was third affair of Edward. She has a heart defect and it kills her later when she tries to get away from Edward.
The Story
Theme
Difference between Appearance and reality-
Dowell thinks that Edward is a "Good Soldier" in the begining to find out that he wasn't. Also the same could be said for Florence.
Conflicts
There were many conflicts with the love that was going around.
Edward having many affairs.
Florence getting overly jealous.
Edward and Florence committing suicide.