Oil! · Chapter
XIII explained
Bunny watches a propaganda film called 'The Devil's Deputy' starring Vee Tracy, which portrays a romanticized and anti-Bolshevik version of Russia.
What happens
Bunny watches a propaganda film called 'The Devil's Deputy' starring Vee Tracy, which portrays a romanticized and anti-Bolshevik version of Russia. He recognizes the gestures and kisses rehearsed on him, and he comforts Vee during the screening, using a formula she had used before.
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 Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the dramatic climax because Bunny reaches an emotional and psychological peak of desperation, tremblin…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Deception and Truth
The film is a blatant propaganda piece, and Bunny's response ('It will sell') acknowledges the manipulation of truth for commercial and political ends.
- War and Imperialism
The film glorifies American military intervention in Russia, depicting the Navy as heroic saviors against the Bolshevik threat.
Characters to notice
- Bunny Ross
Watches the film and holds Vee's hand, offering a formulaic compliment.
- Vee Tracy
The star of the film, playing the grand duchess; she seeks reassurance from Bunny.
- Annabelle Ames
Referenced as the person Vee previously used the same formula with.
Key passages
“Is it so very bad?”
Vee asks Bunny if the film is terrible.
Vee seeks Bunny's opinion on the quality of the propaganda film.
“It is up to standard. It will sell.”
Bunny says the film meets typical expectations and will be commercially successful.
Bunny uses a formulaic response that Vee had previously used with Annabelle Ames.
