Detering
A farmer whose love of land, animals, and home finally drives him to desert.
To return to his wife, farm, and the seasonal life the war interrupted.
The book
At a glance
- Farmer
- Wife at home
- A flowering cherry tree
Who they are in the book
Spoiler-freeDetering's attention remains fixed on his farm and wife. He reacts strongly to suffering animals because he knows their care directly.
A flowering cherry tree awakens an unbearable desire to go home.
How the book draws them
- Farmer's attentionHe reads animals and weather through work.
- HomesickHome remains a concrete place rather than an idea.
- QuietHe speaks less than the younger jokers.
- Driven past disciplineSpring finally outweighs fear of punishment.
Detering deserts but is captured by military police. The men never see him again and assume the punishment is severe.
If you like All Quiet on the Western Front
If you like Erich Maria Remarque
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