To What Extent Do The Writers Essay Example

she finds it hard to imagine as she says, "I feel that what I am reading is all a thrilling and terrible dream". The feeling of isolation shows that the man in 'Strange Meeting' who has returned to be "unhappy at home" is alone in his experience as the British public have not been exposed to the true extent of war. He finds himself in a position where "he can talk to no one, nobody knew".

The use of the word "knew" is repeated to stress the fact that the protagonist was aware of everything, while others were oblivious to the horrors of war. People who arrogantly expressed their "military opinions" were far from understanding what he had witnessed. At dinner parties, he reacted with disbelief when he heard their contrasting and ironic views. He was unable to share the reality with them, and this created a bitter, silent, and hopeless atmosphere. Everyday details reminded him of war and his experiences, such as the uniform worn by commissionaires triggering a tightening in his head.

The man's idyllic surroundings are depicted as having "flower-sellers sitting around in Piccadilly, young women with parasols strolling in the sunshine", juxtaposing with the bleak tone of the section. These images illustrate that there hasn't been any change since before the war as they see no reason for any alteration. In contrast, the letter displays Vera's awareness that "things will never be as they were", revealing that the British community was conscious and impacted by the war; they worried about the soldiers. She acknowledges Kingsley's notion that 'Men must work & women must weep' as it aptly applies to war. Vera states that,

for her, experiencing numerous restless and fearful nights ; days is a reasonable price to pay for being able to perceive the apprehension that she does about the situation.

Thus, Vera acknowledges that concern is a minor consequence of warfare and one that is worth enduring for the soldiers' well-being. The ellipsis denotes a moment of reflection on the intricacy of this concept and the possibility of losing someone as dear to her, emphasizing the emotional tone of the letter.

According to Vera, the distance between life and death is slim in the trenches. The first sign that the public acknowledged the soldiers there came from the ladies knitting on Wednesdays. These women made socks, mittens, and helmets for the approaching winter at the front. This trivial pastime contrasted with the sacrifices of soldiers. The man contrasts with those in England because he is aware of the extent of war while they remain clueless. The symbolism of shadows being long and black against the sun's brightness shows this. Even though they were unaware, both texts agree that newspapers offered little insight into the true extent of war. The letter says there was "nothing in the papers," and the extract states that only official reports came through to newspapers revealing nothing.

It is highly probable that newspapers did not hold back in reporting on the atrocities of war. Those who were aware of the reality could utilize the newspapers to comprehend the true situation by studying the Casualty Lists and analyzing the subtle implications, similar to the protagonist in 'Strange Meeting.' The narrative suggests that on occasion, individuals "hear things," but aside from that, minimal information pertaining to the

war is disclosed as if it were a forbidden topic. Despite Vera being privy to a deeper understanding of the war through the letters she received, she also obtained certain details from additional sources. For example, she "read about the ever-present dangers from snipers & bullets & German trenches 80 yards away."

'Strange Meeting' suggests that the soldiers did not fully comprehend the magnitude of war until after their training. During his own training, the narrator wrote to his mother expressing that it was "much pleasanter than I'd expected" and that he had enjoyed riding a horse. Thus, the soldiers were not subjected to the horrors of war during preparation. It is only after experiencing the realities of fighting that "he" understands Crawford's decision to remain in the military hospital was not an act of cowardice.

The extract suggests that the man has gained a deeper understanding of war through his own experiences, questioning whether the British public who have not experienced it could fully comprehend the suffering revealed to them. He expresses the idea that soldiers become "hardened", losing their sense of identity and belonging. The man feels disconnected from his former life, having been "conditioned" to obey. Furthermore, his mother's letter displays an ignorant view on war, focusing on insignificant details rather than acknowledging the seriousness of his situation.

The man in the novel experienced an ordeal that the public did not, causing him to feel isolated from those around him. Despite disliking being at home, he did not want to return to war either. The memories of war haunted him so much that he refused to sleep. Ultimately, 'Strange Meeting' highlights how the British

public had limited knowledge of the true nature of war and how it permanently changed soldiers who returned from it.

Feeling strange upon returning home, they became resentful towards those who were ignorant of the war and able to continue with their normal lives. In 'Letters from a Lost Generation', Vera's letter to Roland reveals that the British public had greater awareness of the war's dangers than portrayed in the novel. She discusses the risks and threats faced by soldiers and acknowledges that despite her knowledge, it was difficult to comprehend. Vera's experience of the war differed from that of soldiers.

War caused concern for the safety of her loved one in battle. However, her comprehension of the actual essence of war was limited.