Gideon Devi: The Unbreakable Escape Artist of In Memoriam
Overview
Gideon Devi is a minor yet pivotal character in Alice Winn’s 2023 novel In Memoriam, set during World War I. An Indian officer and serial escape artist, Devi embodies resilience, wit, and loyalty. He appears as an old friend of protagonist Henry Gaunt at the POW camp, where he leads tunneling efforts and later orchestrates a daring escape attempt. Devi’s character provides comic relief, emotional support, and a contrasting perspective on war and survival. His real-life counterpart is Erroll Chunder Sen, acknowledged in the Historical Note as inspiration for the tunnelling plot (chapter 47).
Plot Role
Devi first appears in chapter 19, finding Gaunt wounded and delirious in the camp. He encourages Gaunt to talk about Ellwood, revealing their shared history (chapter 19). Throughout chapters 20–24, Devi is central to the camp escape culture: he shows Gaunt the secret tunnel, recruits him for the bellows, and devises plans to recover confiscated items from the Kommandant’s office (chapters 20–21). In chapter 23, Devi is the first to enter the tunnel; when it collapses and floods, Gaunt rescues him. After the failed escape, Devi is placed in solitary with Gaunt and Pritchard, where he immediately begins plotting another attempt from the train transfer (chapter 24). He later sacrifices himself during a border encounter, allowing Gaunt and Pritchard to flee (chapter 26). Mr. Roseveare later credits Devi for the escape plan (chapter 33).
Motivations and Traits
Devi’s primary motivation is escape as sport — he treats each attempt as “something to do” (chapter 24). Even after seven failed attempts, he remains cheerful and undeterred. His traits include:
| Trait | Evidence |
|---|---|
| Resilience | Despite blistered feet and hunger, he never complains (chapter 26). During the flooded tunnel, he jokes, “Fizzing. I like a good swim” (chapter 24). |
| Charm and wit | He deflects hostility with humour (chapter 20: “Oh, Windeler’s all right”). He teases Gaunt about his sexuality without malice (chapter 22). |
| Loyalty | He cares for Gaunt’s nightmares, moves his mattress, and trusts Gaunt with the tunnel secret (chapter 20). |
| Resourcefulness | He devises the tunnel plan, uses French diversions, and memorizes escape routes (chapters 21–24). |
Importantly, Devi is not homosexual — he clarifies to Gaunt, “I’m Indian. I’ve got quite enough trouble to be getting along with” (chapter 22). This shows his pragmatic understanding of social persecution.
Chronological Arc
Devi’s arc spans from childhood friend to wartime comrade:
- Pre‑war: At Grinstead school, Devi and Gaunt climb trees, build grass forts, and practice violence together (chapter 20). Devi knows Gaunt is “a bit funny” (chapter 22).
- 1916: Devi is imprisoned in the Offizierslager where Gaunt arrives. He reconnects with Gaunt and recruits him for the tunnel (chapters 19–20).
- Escape attempt: Devi goes first in the tunnel, gets trapped by flooding, and is rescued by Gaunt (chapter 23). After solitary confinement, he plans a train escape (chapter 24).
- Border sacrifice: At the Dutch frontier, Devi deliberately attacks German soldiers to allow Gaunt and Pritchard to flee (chapter 26). His fate after that is not shown in the novel, but his survival is implied since Mr. Roseveare later credits him (chapter 33).
Relationships
With Henry Gaunt: Their friendship is rooted in mutual trust and shared history. Devi provides emotional support — he stays in Gaunt’s mind during panic (chapter 20: “Remember the grass forts we built at Grinstead?”). He protects Gaunt from bullying by Windeler. Devi’s teasing about Gaunt’s sexuality is affectionate, not cruel (chapter 22). The rescue in the tunnel deepens their bond; Gaunt is willing to risk his life for Devi.
With Pritchard and MacCorkindale: Devi works closely with them on the tunnel. Pritchard calls him “Gideon” and they huddle together for warmth in solitary (chapter 24).
With Elisabeth: Devi is aware of Gaunt’s relationship with the Kommandant’s secretary and teases him about it (chapter 22). He does not interfere.
Key Decisions and Consequences
- Deciding to escape first (chapter 23): Devi volunteers to lead — this gives him the best chance if the tunnel holds, but also makes him the first to face collapse. Consequences: near drowning; loss of supplies.
- Attacking the German soldiers (chapter 26): In a split-second decision, Devi sacrifices himself so Gaunt and Pritchard can reach Holland. Consequences: he is captured or killed, enabling their freedom.
- Treating Gaunt kindly despite his nightmares (chapter 20): Instead of shunning Gaunt, Devi helps him move to the corridor. This cements Gaunt’s trust and leads to Gaunt’s willingness to rescue him later.
Theme and Symbol Connections
Devi connects to several themes on the In Memoriam themes page:
- Escape and survival: Devi embodies the relentless drive to escape, even beyond rationality. His eight attempts symbolize the prisoners’ refusal to accept captivity.
- Masculinity and vulnerability: Devi’s physical vulnerability (blistered feet, exhaustion) coexists with his stoic cheerfulness, challenging traditional war masculinity (masculinity theme).
- Psychological trauma and shell shock: While not personally traumatized, Devi acts as a caregiver for Gaunt’s nightmares and panic attacks (trauma theme).
- Memory and poetry as consolation: Devi recalls childhood adventures with Gaunt, using shared memory to steady him in the tunnel, mirroring the role of poetry for other characters (memory theme).
- Forbidden love: Devi’s knowledge of Gaunt’s sexuality and his acceptance of it highlights the theme of homosexual love during wartime (forbidden love theme).
Questions and Answers
1. How many escape attempts does Gideon Devi make? Eight. He lists: “Seduced a nurse; jumped off a boat; threw sand in a guard’s eyes; slipped away during a riot; hid in a cart of manure; scaled the walls…walked out with so much confidence that no one stopped me” (chapter 24).
2. Why does Devi tease Gaunt about kissing him at Grinstead? Devi recalls playing Romeo and Juliet in a school play, where Gaunt (as Juliet) refused to kiss him, so they used a staged kiss (chapter 22). He brings it up to show he’s always known Gaunt is homosexual, but does so affectionately, not cruelly.
3. Does Devi succeed in escaping the POW camp? The novel leaves his fate ambiguous. In chapter 26, he sacrifices himself to distract German soldiers so Gaunt and Pritchard can flee. However, in chapter 33 Mr. Roseveare credits Devi with the escape plan, implying he survived long enough to be known.
4. What is Devi’s attitude toward Gaunt’s nightmares? He is patient and supportive. He moves Gaunt’s mattress to the corridor to avoid disturbing others, reassures him (“nothing to be ashamed of”), and later stays by him during panic attacks (chapters 20–21).
5. How does Devi demonstrate leadership in the POW camp? He initiates the tunnel plan, recruits Gaunt, devises schemes to retrieve confiscated maps, and coordinates with French prisoners for diversions. He also volunteers to go first in the escape (chapters 21–23). His unwavering optimism and quick thinking make him the de facto leader.
For more on In Memoriam, see the ending explained or browse questions and answers.