Birdsong, written by Sebastian Faulks, is a book described by many as a classic. A "magnificent, deeply moving, sleep-disturbing and powerful" novel, as said by reviewers from all around the globe. The protagonist of this novel, Stephen Wraysford, is a fascinating character because he makes important decisions that not only change his own future, but also that of others. This novel is set before, during, and after the First World War, and even though, in 1970, Stephen has died, he is still the focus of the story.We first meet Stephen in Paris, in 1910, when he is staying with the Azaire family, who own, and run a textiles factory.
We find out that his boss in England has sent Stephen to France, to find out more about how a large factory is run. He has previously only worked on the accounting side of the business, but needs to gain knowledge of the whole workplace; from the employees, to the managerial section. However, when Stephen arrives, he finds that not all is going well, as the company currently has to cope with a strike from the workers.During this turbulent time, we do not really find out a lot about Stephen, but what we do find out is mainly to do with his ability to cope with different situations. An example of this is when he accidentally discovers that Madame Azaire is going behind her husband's back, and is taking supplies, such as food to one of the workers, who is out of a job because of the strike. Stephen finds himself in a very compromising situation, as he will be going against either Madame Azaire, or her husband, if he lets it be known what has been going on.
You mustn't think badly of me, Monsieur. '[Madame Azaire] said, 'Of course not," said Stephen, pleased that she should care what he thought of her. " We find out here that Stephen is fairly flirtatious, as he kisses her on the cheek just before departing, leaving Madame Azaire puzzled as to what the kiss meant. However, even by now, he has changed his attitude towards different members of the household. When Stephen arrived in Paris, he saw Monsieur Azaire as the head of the household, and would always be loyal to him.Now, however, Madame Azaire has stolen his heart, and she is using her flirtatious ways to protect her own livelihood.
Another of the few examples of how Stephen deals with problems, is when he has to explain to Lisette, the Azaire daughter, that he is in love with her mother, rather than herself. During the conversation, he treats Lisette as an adult, which is not how her parents treat her, and he also listens to, and respects her feelings. "Stephen began to see that she was not a child who was making trouble for its own sake, but someone whose feelings had been hurt. However, he only treats her this way after denying all that she has to say about his affair.He realises that he needs to treat her properly, in order to keep their secret private. The next time we meet Stephen is in the First World War, and during this dreadful time, we find out a lot about Stephen as a leader, a role model and his ability to cope with extremely demanding situations.
He is a Lieutenant of the British Army, which is a particularly high rank, and the only reason that Stephen is lucky enough to be appointed for this position is because he has a University education.Stephen is now a lot more worldly, and, with all of the horror of war, has started to think a lot about life and its meaning. For example, Stephen, when he is supposed to be punishing a Tunneller, lectures the man on the death of each man. "Every one of the men we've killed is someone's son. Do you think of that when you see them dead? Do you wonder what their mothers thought when they first held them to their breast - that they would end like this? " He wants each of his men to think about the importance of the war to themselves and to each other.
He is also very interested in different aspects of the profession, which is a characteristic that we have previously seen in the novel. Even though as a Lieutenant, it is not his direct resposibility to go underground, he wants to go into one of the tunnels that undermines the German trenches, to experience the conditions that the soilders have to work in. He decides to take charge of the trek, and is therefore responsible for the men he is taking down.One of the soldiers that Stephen takes with him for protection describes him as a tireless leader, and always enthusiastic towards his men. His eyes felt heavy with fatigue.
.. his mouth felt burned and sour..
. his skull was throbbing, and a tremor was starting in his hand. He needed to go and reassure the men in his platoon" However, Stephen, as a Lieutenant is able to experience the luxuries from the war, such as alcohol and cigars. While in France with the Azaire family, Stephen did not smoke, but, most probably due to the tension of shells falling, and men being killed all around him, Stephen has resorted to smoking to calm him down during tough times.
He also has a lot of time off, and, while he could devote this time to affairs that affect himself, he usually spends this time helping others through the trauma of war, such as one man called Weir whom finds the life that he is leading very difficult. Stephen also has the type of character that tells him never to give up. When Stephen goes down into the tunnel, it collapses, and he is pulled out, and left for dead. He however is very strong and fights through his illnesses, such as Typhoid and Gangrene to bring himself back to the same physical and mental state that he used to be in.This quote shows how he feels after his experience; "Escaped from extermination, Stephen feared nothing any more.
" Even though he is forced by the doctor to take some time off, Stephen is very reluctant to do this and wants to return to his platoon as soon as he possibly can. A very clear characteristic of Stephen that we notice is that he is always encouraging his companions, and strives not to make himself feel better, but to help his fellow soldiers. A good example of this is when Weir comes to Stephen so he will read his palm.Stephen has no idea how to do such a thing, but he knows how much the men, such as Weir, need reassurance that they will survive the torment of the war.
Stephen does not do this for his own pleasure, he does it because he knows how much it hurts to be left alone, with no one to talk to. He is shown to be a sympathetic listener during this period, always ready to lend an ear to his companions and give advice when it is needed. As we already know, Stephen's main confidante is Weir, and, while drinking one night, he finds out that Weir has never made love to a women.As surprised as Stephen is, he promises Weir that he will help to overcome his fear of the female body.
Even though this may seem a trivial thing in the rest of Stephen's life, at this time, Stephen is prepared to do anything to help anyone who needs a friend. The last time frame that we hear of Stephen in is in the late 1970s, when Stephen's, and Madame Azaire's grandaughter, Elizabeth decides to find out what she can about her grandfather, who she never knew. This is because Stephen unfortunately died soon after the war, but, due to his daughters interest, he is still the focus of attention.We do not particularly find out much about his character, but Elizabeth finds a lot of factual information about what Stephen had to endure, and this makes her respect a man who everyone loved in one way or another The way that the author, Sebastian Faulkes portrays Stephen is a way that makes him seem like a hero, but not to the war, but to the individuals, who fought for their country.
Stephen is a very matter of fact man, and this quote, said while discussing opinions of the bloodshed around them would make anyone think twice. "This is not a war, this is an exploration of how far men can be degraded. "
