Throughout the novel Francis reiterates his love for
Nicole. Right from the outset we know that it will "always
be Nicole"
"I thought of Nicole Renard, realising I had not thought of
her for, oh, maybe two hours"
He describes his physical injuries from the war in
grotesque, horrifying detail, emphasising his
monstrous appearance.
He tells us earlier on in the book that he
has intentions to kill Larry LaSalle.
He describes the gun that he is carrying to be "like a tumour on
my thigh", indicating that it is a burden that he is carrying & he
finds it uncomfortable
He is driven by the guilt of having left Nicole to be
raped by LaSalle, an event for which he blames
himself, because he broke his promise not to leave her
alone that night
"My betrayal of her in my eyes"
He enters the war with intentions to die with 'honour' rather than
committing suicide because, being a strong Catholic, he knew it
would be disgraceful towards his parents: "I went to war because I
wanted to die... I wouldn't be disgracing my father & mother's name"
Becuase he only went to war to kil himself, he does not consider
himself a hero & thinkhs he does not deserve his Silver Star award
He refuses to accept sympathy people after feeling
that he doesn't deserve it: "I shake my head, not
deserving his sympathy"
He has a wild imagination & often refers himself to different
fairytale characters/literature books
"...like a knight at her feet, her sword having
touched my shoulder"
"...like a sentry on lonely guard duty"
The scarf is white & silk like the aviators
wore in their airplanes back during the First
World War"
Francis claims that he will kill Larry LaSalle but when it comes to the
event, his hand is shaking & he is overwhlemed. In the end, Larry ends up
killing himself showing that Francis wouldn't have had the courage to go
forward with the event.
Francis often has nightmares about his time in the war
I explode into wakefulness.. and I find myself gasping"