In her essay, “The First World War: British Writing,” Trudi Tate expresses the disillusionment characteristic of much World War I writing: “The pinnacle of industrialization was not… peace, prosperity, and progress, but the end of civilization, the death and mutilation of immense numbers of people, and the destruction of vast areas of landscape” (170).
For your first Discussion posting, write a brief essay on one of the following topics. Depending on which topic you choose, please label the subject line in your post either NATURE or DECEPTION.
Option 1: Nature. Many of our readings thus far have in some way represented the natural world in the midst of war. Using at least two texts (any poems or stories from Weeks 1 or 2), discuss how war writers choose to represent nature, and how that influences the larger purpose of their particular works. Consider, for example, how writers use nature metaphorically to support a specific message or theme. Please support your response with at least two quotations from the readings. Quotations should be properly introduced and integrated into your writing and must be cited according to MLA convention. A proper Works Cited should be listed at the end of your posting.
Option 2: Deception. Many of our readings thus far have referred to acts or feelings of deception. Using at least two texts (any poems or stories from Weeks 1 or 2), discuss how war writers represent ideas of deception, lies, or betrayal. How do such ideas contribute to a specific message about World War I? Consider, for example, how deception effects both soldiers and civilians. Please support your response with at least two quotations from the readings. Quotations should be properly introduced and integrated into your writing and must be cited according to MLA convention. A proper Works Cited should be listed at the end of your posting.
