In Chapter One of Birdsong Faulks sets the scene of France
in 1910 by giving detailed descriptions of the Azaire House. He uses lots of
imagery to give the setting a calm and tranquil atmosphere, he does this by
describing the street as “quiet”, and gives a lot of details of the “picturesque”
features and boulevard. Faulks
may want this chapter to seem so peaceful in contrast to the war and horror that is to come in the novel. Also he describes the River Somme as being "broke up and lurking in the shadows”, which could be foreshadowing for the Battle of Somme will take place there in a couple of years. Or Faulks wanted to use that description to show the atmosphere of Amiens itself, that despite the peaceful setting there is always something in the shadows.
Also the Azaire House itself is said to have “conflicting angles” which could symbolise the conflicts going on in the house itself between Azaire and Isabelle, or Isabelle herself because of all of her conflicting feeling and personality. Either that or it might be more foreshadowing of the conflicts yet to come. It is also described as having "unexpecting spaces" and "disclosed corners" that backs up the idea of all secrets hidden within the house and the secrets that the characters conceal as well.
The chapter is quite slow to read and not the most interesting, but
this could be because Faulks is trying to show how Stephen is feeling through
his writing. Like as we are bored by Berard and intrigued by Madame Azaire so
is Stephen. So as the mood of the novel changes Stephen’s mood changes with it.
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