Part 2, Dolce: Chapters 1 and 2 Summary

The Angellier family prepares for the Germans' arrival and the third occupation of their village of Bussy, which is now on German time. Troops arrive regally during Easter Sunday church services. Gaston Angellier is a prisoner of war, and his mother and wife are at home, at odds with each other. Anything of value is packed and locked away. Madame Angellier is disappointed in her daughter-in-law, Lucile, whose family fortune has failed and who has not produced any children with Gaston. She feels Lucile does not love Gaston as much as she should, and is a bitter woman.

The Germans have lodged themselves, and are wandering the streets among the propaganda posters, enforcing curfews, radio and firearms bans, punishable on pain of death. The villagers enjoy cheating the German soldiers for substandard goods, which they buy because...