Now It Can Be Told · Chapter
XX explained
The narrator reflects on the intellectual and temperamental limitations of British generals, criticizing their narrow worldview, rigid methods, and the systemic favoritism within the Regular Army that excluded talented civilian officers.
What happens
The narrator reflects on the intellectual and temperamental limitations of British generals, criticizing their narrow worldview, rigid methods, and the systemic favoritism within the Regular Army that excluded talented civilian officers. He contrasts this with the successful leadership of the Australian and Canadian Corps, whose commanders came from civilian backgrounds.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the story's dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of anticipation a…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Class and Inequality
The narrator criticizes the 'close corporation' of Regular Army officers that excluded talented civilians, highlighting class-based barriers to command.
- Betrayal by Leadership
The generals are portrayed as intellectually limited and trapped in outdated traditions, betraying the troops through poor leadership.
Characters to notice
- Unknown Narrator
Critiques the British High Command and praises civilian-soldier leadership.
- General Currie
Mentioned as a Canadian Corps commander who was an estate agent before the war.
- The Australians
Cited for able generalship under civilian commanders like Hobbs and Monash.
- The Canadians
Noted for effective leadership under General Currie and other non-regular officers.
Key passages
“One has to leave many gaps in one’s conversation with generals”
Conversations with generals required careful omission of certain topics.
Illustrates the narrow intellectual range of the High Command.
“Our Staff College had been hopelessly inefficient in its system of training, if I am justified in forming such an opinion from specimens produced by it, who had the brains of canaries and the manners of Potsdam.”
The Staff College produced officers with little intelligence and Prussian-like arrogance.
Harsh critique of the military education system.
