The following analysis will be carried out in the light of poems from the pre-war period, underlining the anticipation of war, as well as a play written by R. C. Sherriff. He joined the army and therefore describes the gruesomeness of the events from a realistic point of view. The aim of the paper is to lead from the anticipation and the illusion of a short and glorious war to a more realistic war, representing hell to its fighters.
The beginning of the First World War, also known as the Great War, was marked by the assassination of the Austrian – Hungarian heir apparent, Franz Ferdinand, and his wife on the 28th of June 1914 in Saravejo. From then on, Germany relied on their alliance and additionally, Russia and Serbia became allies. Before the assassination, Germany was already isolated from the other countries except from Austria. During war, the country fought on the West front with France and on the East front with Russia. The fighting assemblies can be divided into Germany with Austria – Hungary and the Ottoman Empire on one side and Great Britain, Russia, France and also the United States on the other side (from 1917 onwards). On the 11th of November 1918, two days after the abdication of Emperor Wilhelm II, the war ends. The Great War was a war led by machines, showing the power of modern weapons.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The beginning of the First World War
3. Pre – War and Early War Poems
3.1 Kipling (For All We Have and Are, My Boy Jack)
3.2 Brooke (The Soldier)
4. 1916
4.1 R.C. Sherriff (Journey’s End)
5. Conclusion
Objectives & Core Themes
This paper explores the shift in the perception of the First World War, tracing the transformation from initial patriotic anticipation and idealism toward the grim, dehumanizing reality experienced by those in the trenches. The research question investigates how literature—specifically early war poetry and R.C. Sherriff's theatrical depiction of conflict—reflects the evolution from a romanticized view of sacrifice to the psychological "hell" of modern warfare.
- Propaganda and the pre-war construction of national identity.
- Idealism versus realism in the works of soldier-poets.
- The psychological impact of trench warfare and the "waiting time."
- Coping mechanisms used by soldiers to endure the reality of modern combat.
- The contrast between political rhetoric and the lived catastrophe of the front line.
Excerpt from the Book
3.2 Brooke (The Soldier)
Undoubtedly the most influential and renowned of the soldier – poets during the War and for several decades afterwards, Rupert Brooke has come to be characterized as the naïve voice of 1914, patriotic and innocent. (Kendall 2014: 102)
Rupert Brooke (1887 – 1915) was in Antwerp during the war and his poems focus on the sacrifice everyone should make for their nation in war scenarios, either by fighting actively or passively at home (for women). He suffered from mental health issues due to all his passionate relationships with different women and eventually had a mental break down. The war was a common distraction for Brooke to get over his mental health problems.
Brooke joined the RND’s Hood battalion that November, and in February 1915 his division set sail for the Dardanelles. Like his friend Patrick Shaw Stewart, he was delighted at the prospect of fighting near the plains of Troy. (Kendall 2014: 103)
Although Brooke was ready to die for his country in the war, he became ill due to a mosquito bite and died. “In death, Brooke became an icon, leaving every soldier – poet of any significance the task of confronting his legacy.” (Kendall 2014: 104)
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Presents the context of the outbreak of the First World War and sets the objective of analyzing the shift in war perception through literature.
2. The beginning of the First World War: Discusses the widespread political and social enthusiasm for the conflict, driven by propaganda and an unrealistic belief in a short, glorious war.
3. Pre – War and Early War Poems: Examines how early poetry served as a form of propaganda, celebrating national identity and patriotic sacrifice.
3.1 Kipling (For All We Have and Are, My Boy Jack): Analyzes Kipling's use of patriotic themes and his personal experience with the war, documenting both national fervor and parental grief.
3.2 Brooke (The Soldier): Explores Brooke's sonnets as quintessential examples of the pre-war "myth of war," portraying heroic sacrifice and an idealized vision of England.
4. 1916: Marks the turning point in the war where disillusionment sets in, as the brutal reality of mass death and industrialized combat becomes impossible to ignore.
4.1 R.C. Sherriff (Journey’s End): Investigates the naturalistic portrayal of trench life in Sherriff's play, focusing on the psychological toll, the monotony of waiting, and the breakdown of old romanticized myths.
5. Conclusion: Summarizes how the initial, romanticized anticipation of war gave way to the horrific reality, serving as a cautionary tale for the recurring nature of conflict.
Key Words
First World War, Literary Analysis, Trench Warfare, Soldier-Poets, Patriotic Idealism, Disillusionment, Propaganda, R.C. Sherriff, Journey’s End, Rudyard Kipling, Rupert Brooke, Sacrifice, Modern Warfare, Psychological Trauma, Realism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
The paper examines how literature related to the First World War mirrors the shift in societal attitudes from patriotic anticipation to the realization of the brutal reality of the front line.
Which specific themes are central to the analysis?
Central themes include the use of propaganda in early poetry, the construction of the "heroic soldier" myth, the psychological impact of trench life, and the disillusionment that occurred as the war progressed.
What is the main research goal?
The goal is to track the transition from the "illusion of a short, glorious war" to a realistic depiction of the conflict as a harrowing, destructive experience for all participants.
Which scientific method is applied?
The work employs a literary/cultural analysis method, investigating both poetry and drama to document the evolution of the perception of the Great War.
What is covered in the main section of the paper?
The main section covers the pre-war patriotic fervor, the poetry of Kipling and Brooke, the shifting landscape of 1916, and an analysis of R.C. Sherriff’s naturalistic play regarding trench warfare.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Modern Warfare, Disillusionment, Trench Life, Literary Representation, Patriotic Idealism, and the specific authors R.C. Sherriff, Rudyard Kipling, and Rupert Brooke.
How does the play "Journey's End" function as a contrast to early war poems?
Unlike the patriotic poems of the early war period, "Journey's End" focuses on the grueling daily life in the trenches, coping mechanisms like substance abuse, and the sense of rage and frustration rather than heroic sacrifice.
What role did the "waiting time" play for soldiers in the trenches, according to Sherriff?
According to the analysis of the play, the long hours of waiting in the trenches created internal stress and psychological instability, which contrasted sharply with the brief, extreme moments of actual combat.
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- Magalie Desorbay (Autor:in), 2018, Poems from the Prewar Period. Literature and Culture of the First World War, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1430217
