General Golz Character Analysis in For Whom the Bell Tolls

Golz is a Russian general and the head of the Republican command for which Robert Jordan works. He is the leader who orders Jordan to blow up the bridge. Golz is a stern, authoritative commander with a surprisingly wry sense of humor; he asks Jordan about his history with “girls,” and Jordan calls him “gay,” remarking that Golz’s seemingly cheerful attitude is actually a reflection of his own pessimism and flippancy about the war. Golz, like several of the other Republicans, realizes early on that the Republicans’ cause is doomed and resigns himself to their loss.

General Golz Character Timeline in For Whom the Bell Tolls

The timeline below shows where the character General Golz appears in For Whom the Bell Tolls. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Violence, Cowardice, and Death Theme Icon

...being particularly large when he walked over it in 1933; it also seemed large from Golz’s description of it two nights before, when they were together in a house outside of... (full context)

In a flashback, Golz tells Jordan that “to blow the bridge is nothing”: “merely to blow the bridge is... (full context)

Golz tells Jordan that the bridge must be blown up after the attack starts and that... (full context)

Jordan asks Golz how he will know if the attack has started, and Golz tells him that there... (full context)

...of the attack, since he does not want information that he might be exploited for. Golz suggests they have a drink, calling him “Comrade Hordan.” Jordan asks Golz how they say... (full context)

Jordan replies that he is able to blow up bridges “sometimes,” and Golz changes the subject, asking if there are “many girls on the other side of the... (full context)

This was the last time Jordan saw Golz. He envisions Golz and the infantry tomorrow night, loading equipment, but quickly reminds himself not... (full context)

...Jordan feels overwhelmed, and he thinks that “all the best ones […] were gay,” including Golz. It is better to be happy while fighting, but there are not many of the... (full context)

...ordered. Jordan feels that he is very lucky to have Anselmo, though he decides that Golz’s orders are bad orders for those who have to carry them out. (full context)

The Eternality of the Present Theme Icon

...must “make up in intensity what the relation will lack in duration.” He wonders if Golz knew something about the struggle to love during war, and he continues to tell himself... (full context)

...a dispatch and send Andrés, who Anselmo promises is reliable, to deliver it to General Golz at the Estado Mayor of the Division. Jordan will put a seal on the letter... (full context)

...judgment that day, and that he has confidence in him. Jordan writes his report for Golz, trying to “put it in the fewest words and still make it absolutely convincing”: he... (full context)

...have been given, and Robert Jordan reflects that “it will come” now in the morning. Golz has the power to make the attack, but not to cancel it; Madrid will have... (full context)

...to happen. The commander says that the fascists were probably “having maneuvers,” and that General Golz might be able to “maneuver” them a little, too. Karkov leaves the room to go... (full context)

...fascist post in a farmhouse. Andrés, on his way to deliver Robert Jordan’s message to Golz, circles around this post in the dark. He notices four haycocks in a meadow that... (full context)

...threats. He tells the soldier that he has orders to deliver a dispatch to General Golz, and the soldier tells him that he mistrusts him, since his papers could be forged.... (full context)

...at the desk says that he is asleep, and that he knows of no General Golz. Gomez turns his 9mm pistol on the officer and tells him to wake up the... (full context)

...and the dispatch from Robert Jordan. Miranda asks Andrés what the closest point to General Golz’s headquarters is, and Andrés tells him that it is Navacerrada. Miranda tells Gomez to take... (full context)

...has ridden back from the hills to the cave, and Andrés is making progress toward Golz’s headquarters with Gomez on his motorcycle. Gomez and Andrés encounter a smash-up between trucks, which... (full context)

Andrés and Gomez reach a building and go in to ask where General Golz’s headquarters are, and a large man, “old and heavy,” in a khaki beret in the... (full context)

Gomez tells Marty that the dispatch for Golz is a “matter of utmost urgence,” and Andrés says that it was given to him... (full context)

...is “untouchable.” Karkov asks if he has heard anything of a message coming through for Golz from an American comrade, Robert Jordan. At first, Marty is not able to admit that... (full context)

Golz, at an observation point, receives a phone call from his Chief of Staff about ending... (full context)

...hour of the day, just before the sunrise. He wonders if Andrés got through to Golz, then tells himself not to worry, thinking that there is a possibility that the attack... (full context)