For Whom the Bell Tolls | Chapter 36 | Summary

Summary

This chapter begins Andrés's adventures with trying to get anyone to believe he is to get a message to General Golz. His confidence in his ability to make this a quick mission and get back to his brother is thwarted. The first group of people he runs into wants to throw bombs on him, and it takes several times saying he is alone before they will believe him.

The people who prevent Andrés from passing are what he refers to as the "crazies; the ones with the black-and-red scarves" and so he says, "Viva la Libertad!" and that gets him into their group, so he can further influence them to let him pass. He is quizzed on local people he knows, and passes with flying colors, which earns him the right to do what he wants, including pass through to the next barrier.

Analysis

Andrés's persistence pays off, though he gets incredibly frustrated after having to say he is alone several times, and having to get through wire with his hands up. It is lucky that Andrés is not a worrier, and can just steel himself to the craziness of the red-and-black-scarved "crazies." Andrés thinks on his feet, and because he knows the instability of their thinking, he can find inroads into their psyches and make them believe he is completely on their side. He believes in the Republican movement, but not to the extent these people do, so he has to fake it.

However this initial success boosts Andrés a little too much. He now thinks the rest will be a breeze, but this line of thinking shows the reader just now naïve Andrés is about war.