Claude Simon, in his commentary on The Flanders Road, highlights the novel's unique cloverleaf structure, emphasizing the duality and repetition that form its core. At the center of this narrative design is the haunting image of a horse's corpse, a casualty of the ambush that also claimed the life of de Reixach. This physical remnant does more than serve as a stark reminder of war's brutality; it acts as a fulcrum for the novel’s thematic exploration of recurrence and duality.

In Simon’s work, tangible realities—such as the decaying carcass—transcend their material existence, prompting the mind to grapple with abstract concepts. The horse's body, a stark symbol of war's devastation, becomes a touchstone for profound reflections on the cyclical nature of conflict. Yet, it also facilitates a deeper understanding of how repetition and duality manifest within the narrative. The corpse embodies both a literal and metaphorical presence, anchoring the novel's exploration of how physicality intertwines with the psychological need to impose order on chaos.

The novel’s structure, with its layers of recurrence, mirrors the mind's attempts to organize and interpret the chaotic reality of war. In Simon’s hands, the cloverleaf becomes more than a stylistic choice; it is an intricate narrative device that deepens the reader's engagement with the motifs of recurrence and duality, echoing the relentless cycles of human experience.

In the novel, time is not merely a backdrop but a central theme that drives its narrative and character development, aligning it with the great works of modernist fiction. Time is depicted in two distinct ways: as an immutable force and as a subjective experience. For Georges, the protagonist, these dual aspects of time are ever-present. On one hand, time is an abstract, relentless force that dictates his journey to the prison camp, symbolizing defeat and helplessness. This journey underscores the inevitable march of time, an agency beyond Georges's control, which starkly emphasizes his powerlessness.

However, within the confines of the camp, Georges finds a refuge in his memory, experiencing time as malleable and personal. This subjective perception of time allows him a degree of empowerment, contrasting sharply with his earlier impotence. The novel intricately weaves these two perspectives, illustrating how both Georges and other characters, like de Reixach and Corinne, navigate the complex interplay of time's dual nature. This multifaceted portrayal enriches the novel's psychological depth and conceptual sophistication.

Although the novel concludes with a somber acknowledgment of the indifferent and destructive nature of objective time, the narrative suggests that the subjective interpretation of time offers a form of redemption. Through memory and personal experience, characters can transcend their apparent defeat, highlighting the novel’s exploration of time as both a curse and a potential source of salvation.

The novel explores profound themes such as the mechanics of history and the compelling nature of desire, primarily through Simon’s intricate examination of time. A notable characteristic of this exploration is how it relativizes elements like cause, effect, intention, and accident. This approach leaves the reader without a singular answer to the intricate problems presented, embracing a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty. Such relativity not only enhances the narrative's tentative and unknowable quality but also serves to both empower and exasperate the curious intellect that sustains Georges. It is this delicate balance of understanding and mystery that permeates the novel, keeping readers engaged in its philosophical depths.