Themes

A major theme of the novel is Florence's and Edward's **"heart disease.**" Florence doesn't actually have a health problem; she makes up her illness as a way to manipulate John. Her simple husband feels so sorry for her condition that he dedicates their entire marriage to caring for her. Florence pretends to be weak and fragile so that John will not quarrel with her or ask for sex. It appears that for Florence, their marriage was just a convenient step in her ambition to go to Europe. She doesn't really love John, which is the actual heart problem she has.

Edward is also seeking treatment for his heart issue. John is not sure whether his illness is real or not, but in a figurative sense it represents his inability to stay faithful to Leonora. Edward has trouble controlling his passions; he is a man addicted to romance. Even though he deeply admires his wife, he can't open his heart to really love her because she is so practical. He needs passion and excitement, but Leonora just wants to live a quiet, normal life. Although their "heart disease" is initially what keeps the two couples together, in the end it is what tears them apart.

With the multiple accounts of adultery, blackmail, and suicide that occur in //The Good Soldier//, **morality** becomes another critical question in the book. In the beginning, John innocently assumes that since Edward and Leonora come from respectable, well-to-do families, they must be morally sound as well. He looks up to Edward as the perfect man, and is almost envious of all the luxuries and recreations Edward enjoys. But clearly Edward is not the righteous character John sees him as. He sleeps around, is careless with money, and becomes addicted to drink. But even after learning about these flaws, John genuinely thinks that Edward's actions had good intentions. John certainly condemns Edward for the heartache and trauma he caused for his wife and Florence and Nancy, but he still thinks Edward is a good man. So there lies the serious question: can a person who does terrible things still be a "good" person?