Part 2, Dolce: Chapters 20 and 21 Summary

The French and German admit their faults as races: Germans lack empathy and tact; French have short memories. The Germans have been planning to celebrate their arrival in France, but the French are not told the truth about the reason. The soldiers politely borrow fine linens and precious belongings for their party, which will include champagne, music and fireworks. French women want to come and ask the soldiers to ignore the curfew for one night. Bruno is secretly humbled and "terrified by the magnitude of his task" of serving the German government.

Bruno and Lucile try to ignore and forget their circumstances and focus on the harmony and understanding between them. When Bruno tries to seduce her, she doubts her feelings and, since she has undertaken to hide Benoit, decides that she is imprisoned by the situation...