In a novel as short as The Good Soldier, Ford Madox Ford recounts two suicides, two ruined lives, one death, and the descent into madness of a young girl. Through this story of passion starring the Ashburnham and Dowell couples, we are shown the insides of what was called international high society. The author takes us into this society between wars where keeping up appearances was the most important thing and all dark and cruel matters had to be kept hidden.