to make everything slightly easier i have summarized all the information from the other posts into one condensed summary post which will also work as a sort of conclusion.
the main things that you need to know to understand this poem are:
- it was written by a woman after WW1
- she lost her fiance during the war
- it was written 9 years later
- each stanza represents a particular season which symbolizes the passing of time
- WW1 went from 1914-18
i hope you found this blog useful for whatever assessment you may need it for :D
“There seemed to be nothing left in the world, for I felt that Roland had taken with him all my future and Edward all my past.” - Vera Brittain
READINGS
there are three types of readings: resistant, alternative and dominant. below i have explored these readings for both now and then and of men and women.
the resistant reading of women in those days might've also been disgust. disgusted at the fact that they are dependent, like a shocking realization. they might've disagreed with the way the poem is written, believing that Vera should've just moved on and not sat in sorrow for all the years she did.
the resistant reading of men now might be shame. shame to think that that might be how women feel about them and how they think. shame to think that its what they did, its how it might always be, even if it isn't now that's how it was.
the resistant reading of women now might be that Vera was just being dramatic and that she should've gotten over him sooner instead of wallowing in self pity for 19 years.
Resistant then vs now:
the resistant reading of men in those days might've been disgust. disgust at the fact that women were so needy and dependent on men to keep them alive and well. disgusted that they couldn't do anything themselves and that they had to rely on people to do it for them.the resistant reading of women in those days might've also been disgust. disgusted at the fact that they are dependent, like a shocking realization. they might've disagreed with the way the poem is written, believing that Vera should've just moved on and not sat in sorrow for all the years she did.
the resistant reading of men now might be shame. shame to think that that might be how women feel about them and how they think. shame to think that its what they did, its how it might always be, even if it isn't now that's how it was.
the resistant reading of women now might be that Vera was just being dramatic and that she should've gotten over him sooner instead of wallowing in self pity for 19 years.
Alternative then vs now:
the alternative reading of men in those days might've been that they were saddened by the thought that women depended on them so much, it might have made them want to treasure the women more and respect them better.
the alternative reading of women in those days might've been that Vera was just being dramatic and that she should've gotten over him sooner instead of wallowing in self pity for 19 years.
the alternative reading of men now might be that they see women as weak beings and needing to be protected by men. it might make them feel empowered.
the alternative reading of women now might be from someone who doesn't know or understand the context of it. it could easily be mistaken as just a sad love story that ended badly. even if the context is known it can still be seen as a sad love story.
the alternative reading of women in those days might've been that Vera was just being dramatic and that she should've gotten over him sooner instead of wallowing in self pity for 19 years.
the alternative reading of men now might be that they see women as weak beings and needing to be protected by men. it might make them feel empowered.
the alternative reading of women now might be from someone who doesn't know or understand the context of it. it could easily be mistaken as just a sad love story that ended badly. even if the context is known it can still be seen as a sad love story.
Dominant then vs now:
the dominant reading of men in those days might've been that they saw it as being sappy and weak. The men were the ones who truly believed in the power of war and of the praise that the fallen should be receiving, not the feeble romantic poetry Vera wrote about how she felt, all the sadness she felt. The men probably believed that the poetry should've been written about the bravery of the men and how admired they should feel knowing that their loved ones fought for them. Men naturally value their masculinity, especially in those days when war was such a huge issue and they would've been asked to fight. If they had read this poem, they might have felt happy about it, as if that's how women must feel after losing them, it might have made them feel loved. (taken from the 'ISSUES OVER TIME' post)
the dominant reading of women in those days who had lost loved ones might've been able to relate to the poem. they might've understood the pain that Vera went through over the years. it might've brought back painful memories for them and saddened them.
the dominant reading of men and women now might be sadness. sadness over the way its written and just overall emotional over it all. the poem is a about a girl who lost her love in war. everyone thinks of war as a tragic event where thousands of people died but it sometimes goes unrecognized all the widowed families.
the dominant reading of women in those days who had lost loved ones might've been able to relate to the poem. they might've understood the pain that Vera went through over the years. it might've brought back painful memories for them and saddened them.
the dominant reading of men and women now might be sadness. sadness over the way its written and just overall emotional over it all. the poem is a about a girl who lost her love in war. everyone thinks of war as a tragic event where thousands of people died but it sometimes goes unrecognized all the widowed families.
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