There was always someone outside of the chalk circle. Someone who needed money, someone who had a son with whooping cough, or someone who wanted to go off and sleep forever because he could not stand the shit taste of war in his mouth and who nonetheless, stood at attention to inform him: "Everything normal, Colonel." And normality was precisely the most fearful part of that infinite war: nothing ever happened.
The quote reflects the pervasive sense of despair and the heavy burden of life during war. It illustrates how individuals outside of the "chalk circle" of safety grapple with crises—be it financial hardship, illness, or the emotional toll of conflict. Each character represents the unceasing struggles faced by people who, despite their suffering, must still adhere to the facade of normalcy, often at the expense of their own well-being.
The phrase “Everything normal, Colonel” encapsulates the irony of wartime existence, where the term 'normal' becomes a chilling indicator of the status quo amidst chaos. It points to the fear embedded in the routine of war, suggesting that in a state of constant conflict, the most daunting aspect is the stagnation of life itself, where nothing changes and the pain continues unabated. This commentary on normality highlights the emotional numbness that can accompany ongoing trauma, reinforcing the novel's themes of solitude and the human condition.
