Literary+Period+and+Country

World War I

Ford Madox Ford was living in **England** when he wrote //The Good Soldier//. **World War I** had just begun, and the universe seemed to be falling apart. Historians say that Ford's novel reflects many of the social changes that occurred in the early 20th century. Social morality became much less black and white and much more grey. This shift in cultural norms marks the beginning of a modernist era.

John Dowell, the narrator of the story, illustrates the traits of the **modernist** man. His disillusionment with morality and love mirrors the questions of society at the time. As John matures through the book, he realizes how deceiving appearances can be, and how even "good people" have demons to conquer. The novel's focus on John's personal memories and thoughts also makes //The Good Soldier// a relic of literary **impressionism**. The entire story revolves around John's personal impressions and experiences. The reader only knows what John knows.