Richard Aldington’s Death of a Hero is a vivid novel that explores the societal and personal cataclysms leading up to and resulting from World War I. Through the life of George Winterbourne, Aldington critiques the hypocrisy and dishonesty of prewar English society, offering a scathing examination of the older generation's role in fueling the war and the younger generation's complicity. The narrative, with its richly detailed depiction of war and its psychological toll, serves as both a personal account and a broader commentary on the collective experience of a 'lost generation.'

The Prelude to Catastrophe

While the majority of Death of a Hero is dedicated to exploring George Winterbourne's life before World War I, it is clear that Aldington uses this period as a foundation to critique the era's social mores. The author’s sharp satire targets the Victorian ideals that deemed chivalry noble and erotic love disgraceful. Aldington points out the rampant dishonesty within English society, arguing that such duplicity facilitated the war's inevitability and the atrocities that followed. He places significant blame on the older generation for initiating the war and accuses the younger generation of failing to challenge these inherited hypocrisies.

A Generation’s Experience

The novel transcends mere war literature; instead, it encapsulates the collective trauma of an entire generation. Aldington's depiction of George Winterbourne's journey reflects the shared experiences of many who lived through the war, mirroring the author’s own life as a member of the avant-garde and as a soldier. George's tragic fate is emblematic of the societal failure to provide essential human needs such as love and truth, driving him to his ambiguous, suicidal end. His death is poignantly timed with that of Wilfred Owen, a soldier-poet whose works similarly expressed the profound gulf between soldiers and civilians during the war.

Narrative Structure and Stylistic Choices

Aldington employs a musical analogy to describe the structure of his novel, likening it to a symphony with movements ranging from allegretto to adagio. He also refers to it as a 'jazz novel,' drawing parallels to techniques used in his previous work, A Fool i’ the Forest. While some musical motifs enhance the narrative, particularly in the depictions of wartime bombardments, the overall analogy does not consistently underpin the novel's form, rendering the tempo indicators somewhat redundant.

Characterization and Social Critique

Throughout the novel, Aldington’s characters often stand as representations of societal archetypes rather than fully fleshed individuals. George’s parents embody society’s superficial values, and their exaggerated portrayal sometimes undermines the reader's engagement before the war’s onset. In contrast, George's romantic entanglements with Elizabeth and Fanny initially appear more nuanced, yet ultimately reveal similar betrayals, highlighting the protagonist's guileless nature against the backdrop of a deceptive world. Prominent literary figures of the time, such as Ezra Pound, D. H. Lawrence, and T. S. Eliot, are humorously caricatured as part of George's bohemian circle, adding a layer of satirical commentary on the intellectual elite.

The Humanizing Impact of War

Ironically, it is within the war's chaos that George encounters genuine camaraderie and nobility. His interactions with fellow soldiers, such as his officer Evans, reveal a stark contrast to the prewar societal pretensions, highlighting the transformative and humanizing aspects of shared adversity. The novel's depictions of trench warfare and its horrors stand out as some of its most powerful segments, showcasing Aldington’s prowess as an Imagist poet with his vivid, precise descriptions of the battlefield.

Reception and Legacy

Upon its release, Death of a Hero catapulted Aldington to fame, resonating strongly enough to become a best-seller despite its mixed critical reception. The novel was part of a larger surge of...