much of the novel consists of four characters telling their stories to a fifth, known as the captain, who remains silent for most of the novel. the four are most often referred to as the soldier, the lieutenant colonel, the communications officer, and the second lieutenant. each of the novel’s three parts is broken into twelve chapters. in each part, chapters 1, 5, and 9 are centered on the soldier; 2, 6, and 10 on the lieutenant colonel; 3, 7, and 11 on the communications officer; and 4, 8, and 12 on the second lieutenant. chapter 11 of part three breaks with the format established by the other chapters and will be covered in the plot synopsis.