Before the match begins Lord Trimingham introduces Ted to Leo. Both men are embarrassed, as they know each other well. “Of course, he told us. But you should make him run errands for you, Burgess, he’s a nailer at that.” This is ironic, as we know Ted has been sending messages to Marian through Leo, a crucial dimension to the plot. Trimingham and Ted have both been sending letters to Marian through Leo. The letters Ted sends are letters arranging times they can meet secretly. Trimingham’s messages are somewhat different; they are innocent messages about croquet and Marian leaving her bible at church. Both use Leo as a go-between.
When the teams are preparing to play there is excitement “ as if a battle were in prospect.” There are many references to war, battle, fighting and pain throughout the episode. These are important as they suggest what might happen later on in the novel, preparing the reader for a dramatic climax at the end. The reader gets an idea of this in the prologue when Leo is referring back to an event that has ruined his life. The idea of war suggests an ending involving death.
Leo notices that Trimingham’s appearance “contrasts with his damaged face.” Trimingham’s is a gentleman, relaxed and polite. This is a complete contrast to his appearance, which is aggressive and fierce because of his disfigurement. As Trimingham goes in to bat he is “a picture of elegance.” He scores. His love for Marian is shown through his batting in the cricket match. Trimingham batted well but had a “late cut” and his ball was “looking dangerous… and he was out” This shows how he was fighting a battle Marian. It was obvious by the way Trimingham held the bat and his style of batting that he had been taught at public school. Marian “applauded vigorously” when he came off. This was exaggerated and could show her enthusiasm for Trimingham. Perhaps Marian thinks that Trimingham has done well, but at the same time wants Ted’s team to win.
Mr Maudsley plays cricket well. He judges each shot meaning that he can send them between fielders. In a similar way to Ted and Trimingham’s play this illustrates Mr Maudsley’s character showing he is aware of what is going on around him and deals with it tactfully and logically. This is shown at the end of the novel when Mr Maudsley tries to stop his wife going to look for Marian, perhaps as he senses what is happening or that he does not want their to be a big fuss and commotion. Another time this is shown is when Mr Maudsley gives a speech which was not like his normal “I had never heard him say half a dozen words consecutively before.” This is also shows how he can take charge.
The cricket match is the first time we see Ted and Trimingham together. There is obviously a scope for comparisons between the two rivals for Marian’s attention. The differences between Ted and Trimingham are described as “the struggle between order and lawlessness, obedience to tradition, on attitude to life and another.” The ways in which the two men play cricket demonstrate their personality and characters. Ted had a light-hearted attitude and made over 50 runs “I just hit out at them”. Lord Trimingham on the other hand had an elegant way of batting and hitting. This again shows the class difference between the two men and the way they act in the rest of the novel. Lord Trimingham is good at taking charge and doing things properly in a professional way, where as Ted is more impulsive. This reference to their characters is important because it is Ted who Marian is attracted to, triggering all the events of the novel. This also links to the prologue when Leo is comparing the main characters of the novel to those of the Zodiac. Trimingham is the archer, showing his power and Ted is the water carrier, showing his physicality.
Marian is involved in watching Ted play and when Leo turns to her and says ‘isn’t it exciting’ she is not able to answer as ‘her eyes were bright, her cheeks were flushed and her lips trembled’. This is because she had been watching Ted playing in the match and could not trust herself to speak as she may give too much away about their relationship.
Leo is torn between both teams. His admiration for both Ted and Trimingham means that he does not want either team to loose. Leo admires both men for different reasons but does not prefer one. Leo is fond of Ted because of his physical appearance and is fond of Trimingham because of his elegance and high status. Ted’s style of batting is “unorthadox” This is probably due to the fact that he was never formally taught how to play cricket. One hit Ted took, sent the ball at the spectators. This shows how the actions of Ted will affect the whole village. Another ball that Ted hits lands between Marian and Mrs Maudsley. This shows the way Ted weakens their relationship. Marian and Mrs Maudsley are very different characters. They are described as “two steel threads” This earlier implies their differences and shows conflicting ideas, which is shown by the “threads crossing.”
Throughout the novel there are many symbolic implications. Leo’s experience of catching Ted out is described using metaphors, which reinforce the idea of battle and death. “I scrambled up, still clutching the ball to me, as though it was a pain that had started in my heart…. the pang of regret, sharp as a sword thrust that accompanied the catch.” These images representing battle and death reinforce the idea of calamity at the end of the book. The pain from catching the ball also shows how the Ted and Marian relationship will be painful to Leo.
At the end of the match Ted says he forgot all about Leo. His way of expressing himself is an example of dramatic irony, for Leo will contribute to his tragic end. By giving Marian the wrong time for a meeting with Ted, Leo precipitates Mrs Maudsley’s search for her. The discovery of the two lovers is so dramatic that Ted puts an end to his own life.” I looked round and there you were, by God … I’d thought of a dozen ways I might get out, but I never thought I’d be caught out by our postman”
The cricket match seems perfect, the ladies with parasols, people enjoying themselves, cheering. Underneath, there is unhappiness, tension and conflict. This gives a sense of foreboding and prepares the reader for the unpleasant events that follow. After the hall’s success in the match the players go back to Brandham Hall for dinner and entertainment. The concert is also significant in the novel as we learn more about Ted and the other characters as individuals and we get more ideas of what is to come.
At the dinner Leo recalls the happy moment when he caught Ted out. It was a “capital of an achievement”. Leo is perhaps too happy “I had fulfilled my function in life; nothing more remained for me to do.” He sees the catch as something important, a step in his life, when realistically it is a catch in a game. The catch in general is significant in the book. It could indicate Leo giving Marian the wrong time leading to her being caught with Ted or the catching in the match and Ted being caught with Marian could be linked. They both are consequences of Leo’s actions, which link to Ted’s death.
Leo describes Marian as she sits on a stool at the piano. “From there as if from a throne she looked down on us”. This makes her seem royal and more important than the guests. Leo’s love for her is strong and he admires her deeply. Marian was the accompanying the players of the match when songs were called for.
Ted was first up to sing. When he went to tell Marian what song he was going to sing it was awkward for them due to their relationship. He was hesitant and self-conscience, but during the performance he improved resulting in the audience wanting an encore. Ted then had to confer with Marian again and chose to sing a love song. After the performance Lord Trimingham says, “What has come over our Ted, to be so shy with the ladies?” The only reason for Ted being shy is because he had to hide his love for Marian up on stage. This had made it look more awkward causing Lord Trimingham to notice this. This could also mean that Trimingham has and idea of the Marian/Ted relationship.
Marian gives “a starry smile” when Leo is called upon to sing. The smile meant a great deal to Leo, as he loves Marian. To Leo “She was my Land of song. Never did a soldier devote himself to death more whole-heartedly than I did” This is significant as again there is a mention of death, which may be related to Ted’s suicide. Leo is devoted to Marian and everything she does. Marian occasionally seems aware of this and takes advantage of it by making Leo take letters to Ted. Leo, however, is too naïve to realize this as he is too much in love with Marian.
At the end of the concert Marcus, tells Leo how Lord Trimingham is engaged to Marian and then asks Leo if he is glad and Leo’s response is “Yes I said I am, I’m sure I am.” This tells us that Leo is trying to convince himself to be happy when really we are not aware of his true feelings.
This episode as a whole brings the book together. The tensions and conflicts are shown in comparisons of cricket teams, characters and socially affinity. Every part of this episode links the book together, backwards with the prologue, and forwards towards the climax. It is these links that make it such a significant and crucial part to The Go Between.
