In Memoriam Chapter 39: Homecoming and the Weight of War
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
After returning from the front, Ellwood walks by the lily pond at his family estate. Gaunt joins him, and they discuss the difficulty of civilian life and parents who cannot understand what soldiers endured. Gaunt remarks that Ellwood is alive, which should simplify things. They go to Ellwood’s bedroom, where Gaunt initiates intimacy. Ellwood struggles to stay present, haunted by battlefield memories—a torn-off leg, Grimsey’s groin wound. Gaunt reveals his own scars from Loos; Ellwood kisses them but cannot find words. Gaunt says “I love you,” but Ellwood remains silent. The next day, Ellwood drinks heavily and lashes out at Gaunt, accusing him of having no real friends and never loving anyone. Gaunt responds with unusual gentleness, saying that’s not true, then walks away. Later, Gaunt finds Ellwood drunk in the bathtub, peeling off his bandages. Gaunt joins him, and they recall their past closeness in Hundreds. Gaunt kisses Ellwood’s shattered cheekbone. Ellwood rejects pity, but Gaunt says it doesn’t matter whether Ellwood loves him back.
Key Events
- Ellwood and Gaunt reunite by the lily pond; Ellwood complains about the blandness of home compared to the front.
- In Ellwood’s bedroom, they become physically intimate for the first time since the war.
- Gaunt undresses, revealing severe scarring from Loos; Ellwood forces himself to look and kiss the wounds.
- Ellwood’s mind drifts to graphic war memories during the act, and Gaunt notices his lack of arousal.
- Gaunt declares his love; Ellwood cannot reply, leaving Gaunt hurt.
- The next morning, Ellwood gets drunk at the pub, then insults Gaunt about his social circle and his inability to love.
- Gaunt responds calmly and walks away; Ellwood feels powerless and sobs into his horse’s neck.
- Gaunt finds Ellwood drunk in a bathtub, unwrapping his bandages; Gaunt climbs in and they share a fragile, tender moment.
- Gaunt kisses Ellwood’s scarred face, and Ellwood admits his earlier cruelty was wrong; Gaunt says his own love is unconditional.
Character Development
- Ellwood: Continues to suffer from severe PTSD—numbness, anger, flashbacks, alcohol abuse. His once-poetic mind fails him when he needs words to express love or pain. He pushes Gaunt away, yet craves connection. The chapter shows his deepest vulnerability: he cannot feel the euphoria he once associated with Gaunt.
- Gaunt: Reveals a patient, almost maternal side. He does not retaliate against Ellwood’s cruelty, but absorbs it with quiet understanding. His scars from Loos are both physical and emotional, but he maintains an open heart. His statement that it doesn’t matter if Ellwood loves him back marks a new selflessness.
- Their dynamic: Shifts from schoolboy infatuation to a relationship tested by trauma. Gaunt takes the lead in intimacy and emotional care, while Ellwood struggles to accept vulnerability.
Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
- War’s Erosion of Intimacy: Ellwood’s inability to stay present during sex—his mind filled with images of mutilated bodies—shows how the front has poisoned private life. The act becomes mechanical, not joyful.
- Poetry’s Inadequacy: Ellwood explicitly rejects Tennyson and Keats, unable to find the right quotation for the moment. The motif of lost language underscores how war has destroyed the cultural tools he once relied on.
- Bodies as Weapons: Ellwood thinks “Our bodies were used to stop bullets.” The line frames both his and Gaunt’s scars as evidence of being treated as instruments, not people.
- Home as Alien: The bland English sky and his mother’s polite inquiries feel unreal. Home offers no comfort; it only magnifies Ellwood’s alienation.
- The Bathtub as Refuge: The scene in the bathtub reverses their earlier positions in “Hundreds.” The water and shared drunkenness create a space where words are not required, allowing a tentative reunion.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 39 is the emotional crux of Ellwood and Gaunt’s post-war relationship. It forces both characters to confront how the war has changed them—Ellwood’s numbness and Gaunt’s scars. Ellwood’s verbal attack on Gaunt is the cruelest he has ever been, but Gaunt’s response redefines the terms of their bond. The bathtub scene offers the first fragile hope that they might heal together, even if Ellwood cannot yet reciprocate love. The chapter also deepens the novel’s critique of the gap between pre-war ideals (poetry, romance) and the brutal reality of survival.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Ellwood fail to respond to Gaunt’s declaration of love?
The war has numbed Ellwood’s emotions and severed his connection to poetic language. He feels a “something surging gloriously in his chest” but has no words to express it. His anger and shame prevent him from accepting vulnerability. -
How does Gaunt’s reaction to Ellwood’s insults reveal his character growth?
Instead of fighting back, Gaunt stays calm and says “That’s not true, Elly” with gentleness. This shows he has learned to see past Ellwood’s cruelty to the pain beneath. He no longer needs to prove himself or win arguments. -
What does the reference to “Hundreds” signify in this scene?
“Hundreds” was a school location where they once shared a quiet moment, with Ellwood leaning against Gaunt. Now, in the bathtub, Gaunt leans against Ellwood, but Gaunt’s chest is too damaged for them to reverse the pose. The callback emphasizes how the war has altered their physical and emotional roles.