Act 1, Part 2 Summary

Conversation between Carr and his butler, Bennett, which has obvious stylistic echoes of

conversations between Jack and his butler in Earnest, refer to the political neutrality of Switzerland, and the war (World War I) going on outside its borders. At one point, Carr, who now appears to be much younger, slips back into the rambling conversational style of his older self. His memories of the misery of life in the trenches becoming confused with his current thoughts about which tie to wear. Bennett repeats something he said earlier, and the conversation resumes more coherently. This restarting of conversations (referred to as a "time slip" in stage directions) occurs throughout the play, reminding us that we're watching the memories of an elderly person rather than a linear, clearly defined narrative.

Carr and Bennett return to conversation about the war, with Carr referring...