Essay Questions

Why does David grow disillusioned with both of the parties that he joins?

David grows disillusioned because he recognizes that there is conflict between groups who should be in agreement with each other and working together. He intends to join the International Brigades but is sidetracked by POUM, whom he feels might represent more opportunities for him to get involved in the fight against fascism. He comes to realize that their main objective is anarchy and that they are not working together with the other groups. He goes back to his original plan and joins up with the International Brigades but then it becomes obvious to him that the fighting between different grass roots groups is working in favor of the more structured governmental organizations.

Why does Carr's granddaughter scatter the Spanish soil on his coffin?

Carr brought dirt from Spain back to England with him, wrapped in a bandana. He kept it for the rest of his life, and told his granddaughter about his time in Spain with such a passion that she realizes even though he has life most of his life in Britain, his heart has never really left Spain. He is also tied to his dogmatic belief in left-wing ideologies which is another reason that he clings to the past and his time fighting in Barcelona. She scatters the soil on him so that he has a little of Spain buried with him, which is the greatest tribute she feels that she can pay him, and also the only way she can repay his confiding in her about his time in the Spanish Civil War.