The Return of the Soldier summary

The Unsettling Return

In The Return of the Soldier by Rebecca West, we are introduced to Kitty, a woman who lives a comfortable life with her husband, Chris, and their young son. Their peaceful existence is disrupted when Chris' cousin, Jenny, arrives with news that Chris' cousin, Kitty's first love, has returned from the war. The twist? He has lost his memory and believes he is still 20 years old, the time when he and Kitty were in love.

Chris, now a shell-shocked soldier, is sent to a mental hospital, but Jenny and Kitty decide to bring him back to their estate, Baldry Court, in an attempt to restore his memory. However, Chris' memory loss is selective, and he has no recollection of his marriage to Kitty or their son. Instead, he believes he is still in love with Kitty and that they are still young and carefree.

The Past and the Present

As Chris' memory loss becomes more apparent, the three women in his life are forced to confront their own pasts and the roles they played in shaping Chris' life. Kitty, who has grown distant from her husband, is forced to confront her feelings for him and the life they once shared. Jenny, who has always been in love with Chris, is forced to confront the reality that he may never remember her. And Margaret, Chris' cousin, is forced to confront her own guilt for the role she played in Chris' enlistment.

As the story unfolds, we learn about the different relationships Chris had with each of the women. His relationship with Kitty was one of youthful love and passion, while his relationship with Jenny was one of friendship and understanding. His relationship with Margaret, on the other hand, was one of duty and obligation. These relationships are further complicated by the class differences between the characters, adding another layer of tension to the story.

The Painful Truth

As the women try to restore Chris' memory, they realize that the man they once knew is gone, replaced by a stranger who looks like him. They also come to understand that Chris' memory loss is a blessing in disguise, as it allows them to confront the painful truths they have been avoiding. Kitty, in particular, is forced to confront her own selfishness and the role she played in Chris' decision to enlist.

In the end, Chris' memory does not return, and he is sent back to the mental hospital. Kitty, Jenny, and Margaret are left to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. The novel ends on a bittersweet note, with the women coming to terms with their pasts and looking towards an uncertain future.

Conclusion

In The Return of the Soldier, Rebecca West presents a poignant exploration of memory, love, and the impact of war. Through the character of Chris, she highlights the devastating effects of shell shock and the toll it takes on not only the soldier but also those around him. The novel also serves as a critique of the rigid social structures of the time, which limited the choices and agency of women. In the end, The Return of the Soldier is a powerful and moving story about the enduring power of love and the painful truths we must confront in order to move forward.