Discussion prompts.
Hugo brings up the idea of fate and chance again as the force that shapes history.
The weather and coordination did seem to have an effect on the battle, but there is danger in too much “what if?” speculation.
Last line
... and Prussian cannon-balls began to rain even on the ranks of the reserve guard behind Napoleon.
Posted Mar 21, 2020, 9:59 AM UTC
I’m caught up for once! I’ve read most of the story of the battle today. I’m remembering it as a slog, so I’ve been pleased to breeze through this. I’m no means a military buff for this era (twentieth century is my thing) but it’s interesting how fate really has played a huge part in all this.
I almost kept on reading before reminding myself to stop!
Glad to hear it!
I highlighted a sentence as I was reading through, I think it summarises the force of chance idea.
Such are these immense quirks of fate, commensurate with an infinite we cannot comprehend.
This is Rose:
Such are the immense strokes of luck, good or bad, that are calibrated by an infinity that escapes us.
I liked this line:
Destiny makes such about-faces. You were hoping to sit on the world’s throne and instead you spy Saint Helena looming.
Napoleon came so close to winning this battle. If only a few things had only gone his way. It makes you wonder how different European history would’ve been. I doubt the English would’ve taken a defeat and just given up. Ornery bunch those English. I like how Hugo talks about chance and luck when dealing with the outcome. As a modern reader chance and luck hold up better than Tolstoy’s determinism. I think if Napoleon had won, it would’ve been battle after battle for him to remain as Emperor. It only takes one defeat for him to be exiled. But whether it’s chance, or luck, or fate, or something else, it just wasn’t on Napoleons side on this day. Poor Napoleon, he just wanted to affectionately pull peoples mustaches, or to tug their ears, and to be called Emperor, and to rule the entire continent of Europe, but alas, it just wasn’t meant to be.
Excellent analysis. And I love the idea of Napoleon playfully tugging on his officer’s moustaches and ears.
I like that line, too. Here's how Donougher wrote it: "Fate takes these turns. You were hoping to rule the world; St Helena comes into view."
Reminds me of something I saw on the news today.
I think the short chapters have helped me get through this section. I don’t know if I would have kept going if it had been one long chapter! That said, I found myself getting pulled into the story. I skimmed all the names though
I think the short chapters have helped me get through this section.
I agree. I'm always glad when I see it's a short chapter. Although I'd be happier still if we got back to the story.
I've added a new word to my vocabulary. Bivouacked- stayed in temporary camp without cover. I think I've heard bivouac before, but never had the time to look it up.
Hugo keeps bring up fate and destiny as well.
The overarching story (Valjean, etc) is very much focused on fate versus action, and overcoming (or accepting) how the decisions of others controls you. Maybe. It’s really early here and I’m going through my reddit notifications trying to think coherent thoughts.
I can never spell bivouac. It’s a cool word though.
I used bivouac on my brother because he was trouncing me in Wii Mario Kart, and he said, "Just because you're an English major doesn't mean you get to make up words."