The Good Soldier: Part 4, Chapter 1 Summary & Analysis

John takes a moment to reset. He apologizes for telling the story in non-chronological order. However, he insists that this is the best way for it to be told. As he reflects on what has been said so far, John thinks about Florence’s place in the whole affair. At this point, he feels she is greatly responsible for many of the misfortunes that befell the Dowells and the Ashburnhams. He blames Florence for destroying not one but two marriages and for Leonora’s deteriorating mental state. John puts some blame on Leonora as well for not trying harder to stop the affair, but Florence is far more guilty in his mind.

Before Florence and Edward’s affair, Leonora was making good progress in bringing Edward back to her. They began talking more than they had been and Leonora forgave Edward for his past indiscretions. In return, Edward would regularly compliment Leonora’s beauty in a way he hadn’t in a long time. However, just as Leonora thought things were returning to normal, the Dowells and the Ashburnhams took their trip to M— where she realized Florence and Edward were having an affair. From this moment on, Leonora hated both Edward and Florence. She hated Edward for once again violating the sanctity of their marriage, and Florence for so brazenly carrying on an affair with her husband.

After Florence’s death, Leonora and Edward returned to Branshaw Manor, their primary estate. At this point, their marriage was in shambles. Leonora once again significantly restricted Edward’s access to money—after briefly easing up—because Edward kept donating his money and things to charitable causes. John speculates that this renewed restriction is why Edward eventually slit his own throat.