For Whom the Bell Tolls

Robert writes and draws plans for blowing up the bridge, making the drawings simple so that Anselmo can finish the work if something happens to Robert. Pablo becomes drunk again, but both he and Robert avoid taunting one another. Once his plans are finished, Robert thinks about his original plans following this operation—plans he made before meeting Maria but that he still hopes to follow through on, if he survives. He wishes to have some time off in Madrid, where he can stay in a hotel, reading and dining at a place popular among the Russians who have come to Spain to help fight fascists.

Robert’s thoughts focus on this restaurant, Gaylord’s, and he thinks of how, when he was a naive and idealistic man, he disliked it. Now, having seen the realities of the war—realities that he does not like but that he accepts—he likes the place and enjoys speaking with the Russians. He remembers talking to Karkov about writing about Spain. Robert wants to write about his experiences in the Spanish Civil War, but he knows that he will need to become a better writer first.

When Maria asks Robert what he is thinking of, his mention of Russians turns the group to discussion of Kashkin, the Russian who helped them with blowing up a train. Robert killed him at his request, since he was injured and wanted to avoid capture. They talk about whether people can see into their futures, something Robert denies, but Pilar lectures them on how one can smell death on some people. She describes the smell in sordid detail, disturbing the men. Robert checks the weather outside to find that the storm is over; he notes that if El Sordo steals horses, he will leave tracks.

Robert makes a bed out of wood planks and pine leaves to elevate himself above the snow, then lies down and waits for Maria to come to him. They make love, and afterward, Robert wakes in the night and feels as if Maria is all of life, holding her close before falling back asleep.

Robert wakes in the early morning to a noise and sees a fascist cavalryman approaching. He has not seen them or the camp yet; Robert shoots the man just as he notices Robert taking aim. The Spaniards come out of the cave to see what has happened, and Robert takes charge, telling Pablo to ride the horse back away from the cave to make it look like the cavalryman had gone back the way he came, hopefully preventing his compatriots from following his horse’s tracks to the camp.

Robert sends some of the others further up the mountain with the machine gun to watch for other soldiers, and he orders Pilar and Maria to stay near the cave, put important belongings of the cavalryman into Robert’s packs, and watch the packs carefully. He warns Maria that there may be fighting when she asks to stay by his side; when she asks for reassurance that he loves her, he tells her that one does not love and kill all in the same moment.

Shocked that no one explained proper machine gun use to the group, Robert explains how to properly place and use their own machine gun, hiding it behind foliage and explaining best placement. Rafael, who was supposed to have been on watch when the cavalryman came through, finally returns; he had stepped from his post to go after two particularly fat rabbits. Robert scolds the man.

Robert watches two crows perched below, using them as signals for whether other cavalrymen approach. Agustín hopes for a massacre of fascists that day, but Robert explains that the bridge is more important for the war overall—a massacre is nothing compared to the strategic victory they could gain at the bridge. Just after they all hide from a passing plane, a crow flies away without cawing, indicating that people are approaching.

Robert puts a staying hand on Agustín’s shoulder as a few cavalrymen come into view. When they follow Pablo’s fake tracks away from the camp, Agustín again expresses a desire to have killed them. A much larger group approaches and then follows the tracks, and Robert explains that if they had killed the first few, they would have had to deal with the larger group.

Robert tells Anselmo to watch the bridge again, but Anselmo suggests going to La Granja for news and teaching someone trustworthy there the method of notetaking so they can watch while Anselmo gathers news. As Anselmo waits for the snow to melt so he can leave, the men speak of politics and killing. Robert notes that he is talking too much, as he always does after great danger. He tells Anselmo to get food for them from Rafael.

Robert and Agustín talk as Robert eats. Agustín confronts Robert about Maria, explaining that he cares for her greatly and insisting that Robert respect and care for her properly, marrying her when he is able. Agustín promises obedience during the attack on the bridge.

They hear noise and realize there is fighting happening at El Sordo’s camp. He orders Primitivo to remain where he is, saying they will wait where they are rather than go help.

Robert explains to Primitivo why they cannot help El Sordo; there are too many fascists, so even attacking them from behind would be useless. Pilar joins them on the hilltop to bring Robert’s observation glasses and teasingly berates Primitivo for wanting to help El Sordo, claiming he will die soon enough without going to his death by attacking the fascists now. Before she leaves to prepare more food, she softens her tone and tells him that he cannot take on the pain of others during war. Having forgotten to bring the papers from the cavalryman Robert shot, she promises to send Maria up with them.

As Primitivo speaks, Robert becomes lost in thought. He reads the papers belonging to the dead cavalryman, and the loving letters from his sister and fiancée remind Robert that not all of the men he has killed have been true fascists, but rather regular soldiers fighting for the fascists. An inner voice challenges him, forcing him to count his kills and face the reality of the war and of his actions. He thinks, too, of his love for Maria, and comes to the conclusion that love is precious for however long it lasts. As his thoughts return to El Sordo, he hears planes overhead.