The Gentleman, Chapter 23 summary
Chapter 23 of 198 · Book 4: Nelson · 2 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 23, Kit is swept forward with a fighting crew whose drunken leader inspires a fierce rush through the smoke, and he shares their excitement without considering the harm they cause. His delight in violence contrasts with the narrator’s reminders of pain, death, and the grief of women mourning their partners.
What happens
- A drunken leader rushes through smoke, inspiring the bloodied crew to follow with whatever weapons they can seize.
- Kit is carried forward with the men and feels their enthusiasm take hold of him.
- He sings, shouts, laughs, strikes the fighter ahead, and repeats his comrades’ curses.
- The narrator contrasts Kit’s delight in killing with the suffering, death, and mourning he ignores.
- As they race up a ladder, a man calls the fighting fun, and Kit answers with cries of glory.
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In this chapter
What to notice
The sentence separates Kit’s excitement from any judgment of his actions. It makes his joyful participation in killing a form of blindness.
Quick check
What does Kit do as the crew rushes forward?
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