The First World War Inspired Many Writers both At the Time and Since How Convincing or Sympathetic A Portrait Does It Give Of World War One?

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20-11-05

The First World War Inspired Many Writers both At the Time and Since

How Convincing or Sympathetic A Portrait Does It Give Of World War One?

        

        After having seen and analysing numerous World War One fictional novels, plays, films, television programs and battlefields, I have been hugely impressed. All the different things we analysed gave different impressions of the war from different angles.

        Firstly, visiting the actual battlefields, trenches, the memorials, graveyards and the museums in Ypres really put the whole war into perspective. Actually seeing everything from my own two eyes really did convince me about the war. Reading from the textbook and looking at the accurate pictures is one thing, but actually seeing everything impressed me so much more. It was a hugely moving experience and I found that I was incredibly convinced after Ypres.

        One day in Ypres, we visited a huge graveyard called Tyne Cot. It was quite emotional, seeing grave after grave. What I personally found most upsetting were the messages on the gravestones, written by members of their family. My favourite quote, which I found so touching, was “We have lost, Heaven has gained, One of the best, Earth contained.” Another compassionate quote was “father in thy gracious keeping, leave we now our loved one sleeping.” These graves really made me realise that World War One was a lot worse than I had ever thought. On some of these graves, just below the name, it said the age of the soldier. Most of the soldiers were in their early twenties, and some even younger. These young men, with their whole lives in front of them, had to die fighting this war, which brought nothing but depression and destruction. The graveyard was beautifully maintained and cared for.

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        We also studied Blackadder – briefly. I really enjoyed it. Blackadder was so amusing yet so meaningful. For example, one minute it would be humorous and the next minute it would swing to being deadly serious. Baldrick always brought nervous humour to the scene, while Blackadder would always entertain everyone with his blunt, sarcastic jokes and dry wit. Lieutenant George Barleigh always made the scenes more down to earth and realistic with his enthusiasm, ignorance and lack of pessimism. Blackadder Goes Forth really put the war into perspective – the bad conditions, lack of basic living essentials and the trauma ...

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