Although the narrator insists that his story "is the saddest story he ever heard," the novel contains many comical passages. The events orbit around two married couples: John and Florence (Americans), and Edward and Leonora Ashburnham (British). Of course, Edward is the "good soldier," and the protagonist. In four long parts, readers are imbued in the background, moral temper, and mostly the weaknesses of the protagonist; that is, we learn about their loose idea of friendship, adultery, death, and doubtful grief. Characters commit suicide, go mad, remarry, and go on living a life of leisure. Such is the portrait of European and American society -at the end of WWI- that the author bestows to his readers.