Hilliard doesn't interact with a huge amount of characters very deeply, but often has overviews of their personalities and is very judgemental in assessing different aspects of them. He comes across as quite cold and unforgiving with other people and aspects of this are shown in his relationship with the major. He doesn't give the major much time and is short in his responses “I’ve been in France.” The major asking a simple question and Hilliard is almost sarcastic in his response. This could be because Hilliard is tired of the home fronts view of war and that he doesn't want to continue what feels is a discounted view of what war is. However the Major is an old man and perhaps he is a little out of touch but this may be because people don't update him on how war changes. This shows a hypocritical nature within Hilliard as he is angered by the home front’s naivety but doesn't elect to tell them how its changed. It creates a relationship between the characters of discontent in Hilliard’s view of him within their relationship. Also this use of short, sharp and blunt sentences in common within Hill’s writing style which usually represents annoyance when used in speech. This quote is representative of this. Another aspect of the Major and Hilliard’s relationship is the idea that they don’t really have conversation they just talk at each other, without really listening on responding. “you weren't a cavalryman”… “oh, i do,” especially when the major talks back to Hilliard, he doesn't really take in what he says and responds he just talks at him. This shows a invalidity in their relationship. Perhaps it’s not really real, its been created as many relationships were of the time. Many relationships were very transparent and didn’t have much context but were just there because people felt they needed to have them. It could be interpreted as a similar idea to how Constance keeps up her look as she feels she's ‘doing her bit.’ They feel as if they must talk, must have a relationship but have no backing for it. Hilliard and the Major’s relationship could be seen as of a caring one. The Major could be seen as looking out for John while John could be seen as being comforting of the Major in his age. Constance tells Hilliard how the Major is “fond of him,” this shows a different way of looking at their relationship. It could open up the idea that the Major only says things like “you ought to have been a cavalryman” because he does care for Hilliard. He wants him to be a cavalryman because in his day that would of been one of the highest ranking and safest soldiers which he perhaps wants for Hilliard. A different view on this is that the Major thinks lowly of Hilliard in fact, and does just genuinely pity the fact he's believes he’s so low ranking. This shows a harshness in his treatment of Hilliard, not a kindness. Also to expand on this alternative view of their relationship, one could suggest that although Hilliard is very short and unsympathetic towards the Major. He does do it, he does do ‘his duty’ because he knows that the Major appreciates it somewhat. Perhaps showing a kindness in the relationship from Hilliard to the Major as well.
Another obvious, and key relationship that Hilliard holds in the beginning of the Novel is the one he holds with Beth. The first mention of Beth shows an attachment between the characters and a closeness between the two; “he had always gone to beth,” henceforth, immediately without even annotation you can tell Hilliard’s closeness and intimacy he seems to hold with Beth. This theme of closeness and intimacy in their relationship is shown throughly when Beth is first mentioned. Beth has a way of going about Hilliard which can coax him into doing things he wouldn't necessarily do otherwise. “come with me,” even though Beth herself is scared of the water, she overcomes this to help Hilliard. It shows how thoughtful she is of him, or used to be and how she will always try her best to help
