Attention TRUC, DANIEL and VINCENT...

I am still waiting for your response to the statement; 'a thousand years will pass and the guilt of Germany will not be erased.'

National Guilt - Hans Frank Quote Response

“A thousand years will pass and the guilt of Germany will not be erased.”

This quote revolves around the national guilt of the German people during World War 2 and their crimes committed by Hitler’s Germany. It was said by Hans Frank, a former Nazi governor of Poland. In some aspects, I do agree with the statement above. However, there are other areas in which I disagree that the guilt of Germany will not be erased.

I strongly believe that future generations after WW2 will still feel that they are responsible for the crimes committed by Hitler’s Germany. They feel as if they cannot wash the blood off their hands. In an article, Bernard Schlink (author of ‘The Reader’) pointed out that “Children inevitably share some of that guilt...Not because they were directly involved but their parents, teachers and those they look up to as people of admiration may have had a concealed past.” If a child was suddenly told that his or her father was involved in the holocaust and slaughtered many lives, the child would be full of regret and would immediately feel the desire to re-pay the debts his or her father had caused to the Jews. In essence, I believe that the guilt would not fade away. By having this guilt and remorse created by future generations, it makes them pay homage to the victims of the Holocaust, acknowledging that Jews were a serious victim of torture, torment and slaughter. In this way, Jews who were involved in the Holocaust and the children of the victims are able to be at peace and gain respect and acknowledgement from the outside world. Although victims of the Holocaust may never forgive Germany for exposing them to genocide, they know that Germany acknowledges that they are guilty and as long as history stands, they will always feel regret and do not wish to impose any prolonging threats against the Jews made by their ancestors.

However, society, as a whole, should move onward and need not remind themselves about the atrocities of WW2 and the Nazi’s whenever they hear the word “German” or “Germany” in the next thousand years. There are those who have become ashamed of calling themselves “German” because of WW2. It is true that one must recount history, learning about mistakes in the past to advance and learn for the future. But it does not need to be exaggerated like Frank’s quote. The Crusades between the Christians and Muslims occurred roughly a thousand years ago, yet no strong collective guilt is felt between Christians today. There are no memorials to celebrate the end of the Crusades, neither are there any emphatic gestures of apology today. In a thousand years time, would the same occur for the Holocaust? Would people forget about the atrocities although it has been engraved in the sandstones of history? Although I strongly believe that the victims of the Holocaust should be remembered, we cannot guarantee that the collective guilt of Germans will never be erased.

I do believe that the guilt caused by the Nazis of those who were not involved will be difficult to erase. But as history has told us with the Crusades, this “guilt” defined by Frank may not last for a thousand years. It could fade away as time burries the events of the past. This guilt felt by Germans who were not involved in WW2 should not be taken lightly. 11 million to 17 million of Jews were slaughtered for no definite reason. This guilt should last as a reminder and a gesture remembrance to the countless victims killed during the Holocaust.

HANS FRANK QUOTATION - My response, By Arusha.

Hans Frank, the Nazi governor of Poland, stated right after the Nuremberg trials that “A thousand years will pass and the guilt of Germany will not be erased”
The aforementioned quote was said during a time of immense feelings of guilt, remorse, despondency. At this point, it was an intense time, Hans Frank seemed to have honestly uttered this statement, however, that is arguable.

I would agree with Hans Frank’s statement, I believe that the guilt of the Nazi’s is a collective guilt felt by the people of Germany. I say so for the mere reason that those who were NOT directly involved (or were not harmed) were therefore, not involved and by not involving themselves, they looked on while history was unfolding before them. Therefore, the generation of that particular time felt guilt and remorse collectively for having not extending themselves in a time of need. The people directly involved, on the other hand, would most definitely feel guilt because it is clearly established that what the Nazi’s did was unforgivable, and therefore no significant amount of time would erase their act. And since their act can never be erased effectively enough, the children of the following generations will reside under the shadow of the past, as Bernhard Schlink also makes clear in his novel “The Reader”.

The reason that Hans Frank feels as though an exceedingly large number of years could never diminish the resentment and guilt felt by those who were, in fact, not the direct perpetrators of the heinous crime committed an age ago, is because the 1^st generation to follow the war, are the children of either the perpetrators, the onlookers, or the harmed. The children of the perpetrators would feel guilt for ever having loved those, for ever having admire those that turned out to be involved in such a monstrous crime, and even though they were previously oblivious to it, they would still feel the guilt when it’s a matter of coming to terms with redefining their relationship with their loved ones and feeling a sense of disappointment and disgust at having been loved by the person who could carry out such terrible tasks. The children of the on-lookers were inclusive of those to feel the guilt in years to come due to the fact that they also must redefine their relationship with their loved ones. They must do so because, as time progressed and so did their education and awareness, they realized the true magnitude of destruction caused, and wish to understand why the acts didn’t come to end when they could have, hence they feel as though the guilt rests upon them because they are the ones involved with those who were involved, they must learn to live with the thoughts that those they respected, turned out to be coldhearted enough to ignore their surroundings when the situation worsened. The children of those harmed of course, just feel guilt for ever having been part of a country that so conveniently banished them, therefore, they feel guilt alongside disgust and grief.

Perhaps we can say that the quote was exaggerated, even though I agree with it, I wouldn’t entirely state that a thousand years would diminish the guilt felt by the oncoming generations, but the 4^th-5^th generation would be much less under the shadow of guilt, much less than the 1^st and 2^nd generation, where there are personal links and the shock of coming to terms with the situation is intense.

For Thursday 3rd December

Write 500 words expressing your response to the statement: "A thousand years will pass and the guilt of Germany will not be erased”

Vincent's response to the use of Prolepsis in Atonement.

“Briony was hardly to know it then, but this was the project’s highest point of fulfillment”

This is a short but significant prolepsis because it shows the reader Briony’s role in the novel. Firstly, the author suggests to the reader that the play that Briony made, which is seen as very childish would be the best thing Briony would achieve throughout the whole novel. This would make us think about why and how Briony wouldn’t be able to achieve anything else better than just a play, perhaps she will do something bad that would make the reader loose sympathy for her, or her character is simply boring and monotonous.

Furthermore, this quote also creates an emphasis on how important the play would be and how it would contribute a lot to the novel, because the play reflects on Briony’s character and on how she sees everything in black and white. Perhaps this would be bad later on in the story, for example when she sees Robbie and Cecilia by the fountain or when the blamed Robbie for the rape just because she saw him as a bad guy from a fairy tale.

Prolepsis (Extract 2)

“Six decades later [Briony] would describe how at the age of thirteen she had written her way through a whole history of literature, beginning with stories derived from the European traditional folk tales, through drama with simple moral intent, to arrive at an impartial psychological realism which she had discovered for herself, one special morning during a heat wave in 1935.”

Prolepsis is the rhetorical act of anticipation (in essence, here, the reader’s ‘premature’ knowledge of later events). In other words, the author gives account of future events that will definitely come true to the reader. The use of “six decades later” creates this effect.

Earlier on, McEwan introduces Briony to the reader. She is seen as an immature, innocent, ignorant and short-sighted girl. When McEwan uses prolepsis, he hints a transition in the character of Briony. “Six decades later”, he suggests that Briony has become very wise and mature, realising her faults in her late childhood. In some way, the distaste for Briony that the reader created for her is reduced, knowing that Briony will eventually realise her faults and strip away her childhood characteristics.

The use of “six decades later” also reveals the fact that Briony has survived the war. Within these six decades, McEwan informs the reader that Briony has experienced a long and enduring journey in reference to her passion for writing: “...had written her way through a whole history of literature”. This also reveals that Briony will mature rapidly in her writing, as well as her thoughts of the world around her through her written expression.

Furthermore, McEwan’s use of prolepsis lures the reader. The reader is intrigued to find out what will happen “six decades later”. The reader questions if Briony truly does become a mature person and wants to know how she survived the war and her experiences during that period.

Prolepsis in Atonement (extract 3 from page 90 --- on handout)

PROLEPSIS IN ATONEMENT (EXTRACT ANALYSIS)

“To what extent is prolepsis used on page 90 and to what effect?”

“In years to come he would often think back to this time, when he walked along the footpath that made a shortcut through a corner of the oak woods and joined the main drive where it curved towards the lake and the house.” – PAGE 90.

This is the scene before he gave the letter to Briony, and the letter giving should have been a small event, but it wasn’t depicted to be so due to the way the author has phrased the aforementioned sentence. The letter giving becomes very significant and the extract emphasizes the event and heightens its importance in order to impact how we feel about the oncoming outcome of the events, we begin to understand the true magnitude of devastation and havoc that will be caused because the author clearly states that the next few pages will contain an event that will be so major that it will be prevalent later on in the novel or in the life of the character, “In years to come”. Through prolepsis the author uses minor events and heightens its importance in order to monitor a particular character carefully, focus on the larger picture and perceive the next few pages differently in order to have a greater impact on the advent of important events in the novel. And this way, McEwan, with his specific phrasing, effectively allows the reader to not only focus on shock or the unfolding of events (as passive readers) but to focus on the moral issue and the idea conveyed and HOW the unfolding of events took place (as active readers) and hence, this has an engaging effect.

Prolepsis in 'Atonement'

5. ‘Within the half hour Briony would commit her crime.’

This statement is the first sentence of chapter thirteen and so its impact is big. When the reader reads this, he/she would immediately ask ‘what crime?’ This subtle hint of future events will engage the reader and compel him/her to keep reading on to find out what the ‘crime’ is. The reader could also predict and roughly guess what the ‘crime’ Briony will commit is by inferring from the previous events and Briony’s childish and melodramatic way of thinking. The readers can also infer ‘The Trials of Arabella’, Briony’s play, which basically shows what happens in the book. This is another example of prolepsis McEwan uses in the novel ‘Atonement’. So by doing this, McEwan makes the reader lose sympathy for Briony and we start to dislike Briony. This also gives away what Briony does so it may ruin it for readers who like surprises hence the critical remarks by critics who are against prolepsis.
However, this particular sentence is more of a foreshadowing than a prolepsis. This is because it doesn’t exactly tell us what is going to happen but only leaves subtle clues of what might happen afterwards.
Therefore, by using prolepsis and foreshadowing, McEwan makes readers think and keeps them ‘active’ throughout the book and not passive.

COMMENTARY ON CECILIA (PAGE 18-19 WHEN WE ARE FIRST INTRODUCED TO HER)

PAGE 18-19 – CECILIA AND OUR FIRST INTRODUCTION TO HER

3RD Person narration – the author is all-knowing, OMNISCIENT.
the use of the words “youth”, “glory” and “blossoming” – have positive connotations and presents her youth, her situation, her ADOLESENCE, there is CONSTANT reference to EXTERNAL BEAUTY AS WELL – perhaps Cecilia is judgmental and is shallow?
“could not conceal the ugliness of the Tallis Home” – again, reference to appearance and could also be in relation to – how she feels about the people and the relationships between the people WITHIN the house? – She is perhaps desperate for a change and is looking down on her heritage, or her roots.
Reference to youth – “barely forty years old” – she is constantly worried about age and youth, her own as well as her surroundings. We can also see that most family establishments go back generations, but this is a fairly new establishment, perhaps this is foreshadowing? We can see that there is more of a history to be made of this house, more stories to come and more events to take place under its roof.
“In an alien northern climate, he was a long way from home, but he was beautiful in the morning sunlight” – perhaps she is talking about herself as she mentioned earlier to be “desperate” for something to do, maybe she is NOT in her comfort zone, and she is a long way away from her comfort zone, maybe that refers to bad relations within the Tallis household? Foreshadowing that since the relationships are NOT strong, they will soon fall apart furthermore. She is a vulnerable person, who tries to detach herself from her family.
Repetition of the word “morning sunlight” and also, the author states “The cool high shade of the woods was a relief” – perhaps this PATHETIC FALLACY indicates OPRESSIVE HEAT and this could build up tension – perhaps Cecilia’s vulnerable character is about to encounter something serious.

Domestic spaces

Domestic Space:Dining room (pg 125-128)

Characters relevant: The Tallis family with the exception of Jack Tallis, Robbie Turner, Paul Marshall, Lola, Pierrot and Jackson Quincey.

Key events relevant: -Marshall leaning back and saying to Robbie ' I say, are we still on for tennis tomorrow?' and Robbie answering 'I suppose we are'.
-Leon suggesting that England in a heat wave is good and his mother disagreeing.

Barriers and Connections: The dining room is a public space where the whole family and some guests have dinner together. Here Paul Marshall shouldn't have faced away from the hostess and started a private conversation, but he did so, breaking a social convention. Also, when he did this, Emily Tallis couldn't take any action as Marshall was a guest. Hence, here Marshall was somewhat liberated from the barriers and social conventions. Briony, who was more hostile to Robbie at that time than ever, acts rude to Robbie. She wasn't supposed to do this and a barrier was broken when she did so thus provoking a reprimanding from her mother.

Significance to the novel and themes: When Marshall asks Robbie about a tennis match the next day an Robbie answers 'yes' there is a bit of irony. This is because Robbie is arrested that very day for a crime that Marshall had commited thus preventing Robbie from having a tennis match with Marshall the next day.
Also, when Leon says ' "I love England in a heat wave. It's a different country. All the rules change." ' and goes on to say that ' "People are more at ease - a couple of days' sunshine and we become Italians. Last week in Charlotte Street they were eating dinner at pavement tables." ' his mother quickly disagrees and kind of discreetly command everyone to behave normally by saying ' "hot weather encouraged loose morals among young people. Fewer layers of clothing, a thousand more places to meet. Out of doors, out of control. Your grandmother especially was uneasy when it was summer. She would dream up a thousand reasons to keep my sisters and me in the house." ' This foreshadows the events that will take place later on when Marshall rapes Lola. This is because by 'out of control' Emily was suggesting that her mother wanted to prevents things like what happened to Lola from happening to Emily and her sisters.

Domestic Spaces

Domestic Spaces: Drawing room (pg 20-21)

Character relevant: Cecilia

Key events relevant: -Incident in front of Triton fountain
-Emily Tallis and Briony Tallis not really caring about Cecilia

Barriers and Connections: The drawing room is a space where guests may be entertained. Such a public function makes the drawing room a public space. In this extract, Cecilia stands in the drawing room and thinks about her 'homebound boredom'. From 'set of steps led down to the lawn on whose border Robbie still worked, and which extended to the Triton dountain fifty yards away' we can see that she is staring out at Robbie. All this can be done in her room, which she had to herself and is a private space but she chooses to do this in the drawing room and so breaks the barrier and the social convetion that one should not aimlessly loiter in a public space. If her mother or another adult saw her like this she would have been told to go to her room since she had no purpose in the drawing room. In this case, Cecilia breaks the restrictions and chooses to loiter around in the drawing room.

Significance to the novel and themes: From the quote stated in the paragraph above we can see that Cecilia isn't genuinely angry with Robbie and she was doing it only to make Robbie feel guilty. This is significant to the novel as this shows us that Cecilia still loves Robbie but just doesn't show it.

'that her family was owed an uninterrupted stretech of her company... her mother, when she wasn't nurturing her migraines, seemed distant, even unfriendly.'

'thinking some intimate conversations might develop. However, Emily Tallis wanted to share only tiny frets about the household, or she lay back against the pillows'

'Briony was lost to her writing fantasies - what had seemed a passing fad was now an enveloping obsession.'

From these quotes we can see that Cecilia expected a warm welcome home and thought that her family missed her, but realized that they didn't really care about her. This foreshadows the time when she leaves home to be alone after Robbie's arrest.

CHARACTERIZATION - COMMENTARY ON CECILIA (PAGE 176-177) BY ADAM NGUYEN

Cecilia seen as: nervous, dependent, paranoid, insecure, mysterious, helpless, losing her ‘touch’ and responsibilities.

· Cecilia is masked away from the scenario/ scene: “Where was Cecilia?” Losing her sense of importance within the Tallis family? Also questions the reader what they previously thought about her (before = independent, feisty)

· “She hovered”: the use of “hovered” suggests that Cecilia isn’t participating in the current situation. It is as if she isn’t even there with her family. It can be paralleled to a ghost hovering above the ground? à Lack/ loss of touch with reality. Reader continues to question her importance to the scene at this stage.

· Seen as mysterious in the opening lines of the extract. Could be shell-shocked, nervous, and anxious?

· Cecilia is extremely nervous, for reasons the reader does not know yet. McEwan keeps the reader in suspense, questioning: ‘what is she so nervous about?’ “...speaking to no one...she twisted a handkerchief in her hand as she paced the hallway.” Contradicts her confident character that the reader witnessed previously. This is confirmed when McEwan states: “Normally, she would have taken control of a situation like this, directing the care of Lola, reassuring her mother, listening to the doctor’s advice, consulting with Leon.”

· “...came over to talk to Cecilia, who turned away, unable to help, or even speak.” Cecilia blocks herself away from her family, seen as useless and uncooperative by the reader. Foreshadows her attitude to her family later on. Her lack of communication initiates the withdrawal of her connection with her family.

· “[Emily] actually grew as her older daughter shrank into private misery.” McEwan uses emotive language: “private misery”. This is somewhat ironic. Cecilia begins to lose her responsibilities as her mother rediscovers hers. It is an indication of a role reversal, becoming typical = Daughter takes no action; Mother takes responsibility of the situation.

· “Briony became nervous of [Cecilia].” McEwan continues to show that Cecilia is losing her responsibilities as an older sibling to Briony. Forces Briony to worry about the safety of her older sister/ Briony is ‘looking out for Cecilia’.

· “While others stood murmuring in groups, she moved restlessly up and down the room, or from one room to another, or, on at least two occasions, went to stand outside the front door. Nervously, she transferred the hankie from one hand to the other, coiled it between her fingers, unwound it, squeezed it in a ball, took it in the other hand, lit another cigarette.” Seen as immensely nervous, paranoid and insecure. This, once again, contradicts her once independent, dominant, feisty spirit.

CHARACTERIZATION - COMMENTARY ON CECILIA (PAGE 96-99)

KEY PASSAGE – CHAPTER NINE (PAGE 96-99)

We are reading this extract from The Author’s point of view, but its Cecilia whose thoughts we are aware of. Hence, the author is giving us Cecilia’s account of what is happening.
This is important, as even though Cecilia’s thoughts are what we are aware of, it is the authors comments that we take note of.

Overall, we could say that the author’s intentions are to make us relate to Cecilia, expose different facets to her character and how she is in the privacy of her room, what her train of thoughts are.

The use of the words “immediately” and “reconsider” and “moments inspiration” indicate Cecilia’s over-thinking mind, as she acts fast and is frequently inspired. She seems to be creative and energetic. Also, she is understanding and has good crisis-management abilities as she is calm and reserved when she ought to be on behalf of other people – “You’ve got one sock each then, and you’re fighting over it.” – (the scene when the twins come to her for assistance even though she has other things to handle)

Authorial comments that originally spring from Cecilia’s train of thought such as, “Its air of invulnerability was heightened by the darkness of her eyes” portray Cecilia to be very aware of her features, as she puts a lot of thought into things.
Also, The rhetorical questions to herself (directed at the reader – “How was she to think straight?”) and lists “swapped her pearls, re-touched her make-up, applied perfume”, indicate Cecilia’s restless, over-wrought character at this point, yet it also illustrates her energy levels and ability to be fast-paced and energetic.

Yet, she is easily over-wrought and when in flurry, over-whelmed. However, Ian McEwan uses A HYPHEN to describe the dress she chose out and how exactly it’s the best choice. “Hem – a safe choice.” – This use of this particular sentence structure/syntax/punctuation illustrates Cecilia’s calculated+reasonable mindset+way of thinking.

Ian McEwan uses SIMILES to shed light on Cecilia’s thought pattern. He claims that she feels (in certain cases) like AN OLDER PERSON OF 70/80. “80 year olds party frock – future self” - PERHAPS SHES SCARED OF OLD AGE. She mocks old age, “all I need is rabbit buttons” – perhaps she has distaste for older people. Maybe she’s narcissistic? And she LOVES HER YOUTH, yet she seems like she can exaggerate scenarios. She is very SELF CONSCIOUS – “figure-hugging” – proud of her sex appeal.

“slippery+secure” – she feels sexually alert. SIBILANCE TOO- indicates softness/sleekness, maybe she wants to feel like that in Robbie’s company? – This is an indication to SENSOUS THOUGHTS ABOUT HIM.

She feels/is – young and energetic. She loves her youth, confidence and sexuality. However she is a complex character – she doesn’t want to FEEL TOO YOUNG. “wouldn’t help looking like sherley temple” - strong approach to adolescence. She wants to MATURE. A very anxious, demanding, thoughtful character. She is merely concerned about her image – Perhaps to impress someone (Robbie in this case)

She is sensuous – as McEwan gives us an indication to her age (post – finals gown) – we can tell that she is young and thriving and perhaps her restlessness is to do with impressing someone. She is self-conscious but not to the point of obsession.

In contrast to that, as youthful as she wishes to be, McEwan presents to the readers her maternal side. She is soft, motherly, caring and affectionate – there is an adult side to her – “She couldn’t help feeling gratified” (as the twins held her hands)

But, at the same time, she maintains her lively, thoughtful behaviour out of will – because a short sentence follows the aforementioned quote “she couldn’t not help thinking about her dress” – her thoughts steer back straight to her, and this short sentence (syntax) – shows her over-working/passionate/restless/self-conscious mind.

DOMESTIC SPACES - THE LIBRARY (ALSO IN HARD COPY)

Domestic Spaces: THE LIBRARY (PAGE 84)

CHARACTERS RELEVANT

1. Robbie

KEY IDEAS RELEVANT

1. Robbie’s train of thought

2. When he goes to return a book in the library of the Tallis household

BARRIERS AND CONNECTIONS

1. Notions to class difference raised as “Volumes on Versailles he had borrowed, first day he noticed his awkwardness in her presence, state of his socks – holed at the toe”

2. Robbie and Cecilia have very different status’ and he is entering the “sacred” part of the house, “dusty old paper” – the library is an old place but has books that are classics and worth a lot.

3. A private place – privacy – the surroundings have been touched by Cecilia, this gives Robbie the chance to touch what she has touched in a sacred manner, “worshipping her traces.”

SIGNIFICANCE TO THE NOVEL AND THEMES

1. The setting of the library at this point is crucial to dictate the grandeur and privacy of this place – it signifies + dictates the connection between Robbie’s class and Cecilia’s class and how perhaps it will come to affect their future (as Briony will get involved and render him too worthless for his sister)

Domestic Spaces: THE LIBRARY (PAGE 121-124)

CHARACTERS RELEVANT

1. Briony

KEY IDEAS RELEVANT

1. The library as the central focal point of the house “if father was here, he would be sat most of the time in the library, had a good idea which authority to consult and would take her into the library to help her find it” – Briony mentioning her father and the library. Library is closed when her father isn’t around, which is most of the time, she stops by, but doesn’t enter.

2. She walks in on Robbie and Cecilia making love and is terrified.

3. Cecilia leaves and Briony is left to wonder about what just happened.

BARRIERS AND CONNECTIONS

1. The barrier is the door to the library with its grand “brass” handle, that Briony turned, something that shouldn’t have been opened was, and that makes a connection with the oncoming future events – BRIONYS INTRUSION IN THEIR LIVES.

2. Area of privacy and seclusion “he trapped her where the shelves met at right angles” but the entrance of briony – is an unexpected encounter that forms the base of the novel.

3. Also, Briony entering a forbidden zone only to encounter something that is beyond her grasp to understand – she is on the edge of adolescence.

SIGNIFICANCE TO NOVEL AND THE THEMES

1. The domestic space of the library is dark as the shapes in there are “dark” but it is still slightly “illuminated” by the lamp that illuminates a little more than the “tooled leather surface” – perhaps this is an indication to Briony’s understanding? Ignorant, but just slightly enlightened, only to a certain degree.

2. Also, perhaps this unexpected intrusion signifies the transition that Briony makes from a normal livelihood to a more complex, tedious one. The domestic space of the library (that is meant to be enclosed and not chanced upon randomly) makes it possible for us to see that an unwelcome guests intrusion could spark many events – of which many will be deadly.

Domestic spaces: THE LIBRARY (PAGE 138-139)

CHARACTERS RELEVANT

1. Briony

2. Cecilia

3. Robbie

KEY IDEAS RELEVANT

1. Cecilia and Robbie are getting intimate

2. Briony walks in on them

BARRIERS AND CONNECTIONS

1. A place that is essentially ENTIRELY within the house, the very core of the hose “in a house, in total silence”

2. “Dimly illuminated” – must be quiet, silent and there are rules in a library.

3. For adults and private functions, age difference, adolescence “There was no good reason why she should be here”, PRIVATE, inner part of the house, not where guests or children are allowed. PRIVACY+SECLUSION.

SIGNIFICANCE TO THE NOVEL AND THEMES

1. The library in many ways signifies the divide between the adult world and the child’s world.

2. Briony walking into the room in the middle of Cecilia’s and Robbie’s act breaks the barrier because initially the library is used to dictate an enclosed area that is forbidden, and when it is trespassed, there are grave consequences. Hence, the intrusion into the library (where Briony is NOT supposed to be) is also (on a larger scale) an intrusion of Briony into Robbie’s and Cecilia’s lives. – there is suspense and tension built, there is a climax because Briony opens a door that is not supposed to be opened (at least by her)

3. Also, since the library is a place of knowledge and privacy and solitude, Ian McEwan uses the words (from Robbie’s perspective) “Propelled from her depths of ignorance, silly imagining and girlish rectitude, she had come to call a halt” – this places emphasis on Briony’s inability to be mature as she is ignorant and girly and has come to call a halt. There is a huge contrast displayed as we can see why she isn’t allowed in the library to start with, she is ignorant, and since it is taboo for her to be there, she can’t be permitted to impose rules on others and “call a halt”

ATONEMENT - PAGE 3/4 EXTRACT ANALYSIS

Atonement, a novel by Ian McEwan, is a novel set in Britain during the mid 1930’s in the Tallis’ household. The novels protagonist is Briony Tallis and the opening scene of the novel (page 3 and 4) is written with the purpose that the Author wishes to foreshadow (through Briony’s play “The Trials of Arabella”) and shed light on Briony’s character and the theme of melodrama. All this is conveyed through the Authors use of sentence types/functions and connotations.

Ian McEwan, an omniscient 3^rd person narrator, introduces us to Briony in the opening pages and we learn about her character through her own perceptions of herself and through Ian McEwan’s perception of her through authorial comments and Briony’s dialogues and behavior.
Briony sees herself as organized and independent, as she “designed the posters, programs and tickets” and she also perceives herself to be passionate as she “burrows in her bed” and has a “passion for secrets”, but also, we see her passion for romance, drama and melodrama through her artistic temperament as she was caused to “miss a breakfast and lunch” to complete her play. Although, her artistic temperament could be misinterpreted by the reader as Briony’s need to exaggerate. Furthermore, her tendencies to be romantic and melodramatic are shown through her Play that we are told about. She’s very moralistic because her story has Black And White morals and is Dramatic, with the use of the phrases “desperately sad, reckless passion”; she is also very romantic as she simply must include a “prince in disguise.” In addition to that, she is very well educated as we are apprised of her use of correct syntax, “the play – for which…”

However, the author’s intent is to portray her differently through his authorial comments. McEwan introduces us to Briony through phrases like “Controlling demon” and this is to illustrate Briony’s controlling traits, alongside that, there is the use of the phrase “Under strict instruction not to touch the wall”, hence Briony wants everything to be her way, this doesn’t indicate her independence, just her controlling traits. “Reckless passion and wicked count” are phrases used by the author to describe the characters that are Briony’s construction in her play, and hence, we can see that the Briony is not creative, just merely melodramatic and clichéd. Also noted by the readers, Briony is very manipulative and attention-seeking as she “put her arm around her mother’s shoulder, studying her face”, and therefore we can see that she seems to be the kind of person to use her mother’s maternal inclinations to gain acceptance and approval and as we can see at the end of the extract, Briony is in dire need of attention as SHE wants to be the one asked to be a bridesmaid, SHE wants to be in the limelight during her brother’s wedding. And because she is desperately under the impression that he must quit his succession of long girlfriends and must be “guided to the right kind of wife”, we can see Briony’s naïve mindset exposed. She may be very innocent, “she had no secrets” but she is very obsessive, “desire to have the world just so.” And because of her innocence and naivety, the author foreshadows the doom that is to come because of Briony’s youth, ignorance, moralistic views and desire for secrecy/importance/attention.
Thus, since we took note that Ian McEwan includes Multiple narration from himself as the omniscient, 3^rd person narrator, and from Briony, we can understand that through his characterization that when it comes to Briony, we must render her an unreliable narrator because of her childish traits and from that Ian McEwan effectively foreshadows. He does so through the use of introducing her at the very start of the novel, hence if we are apprised of her naivety and unreliability in the start of the novel, we can then tell that this protagonist will influence the course of the novel, and hence, foreshadowing is effectively done.

Not only does Ian McEwan foreshadow through the introduction of Briony and her traits, but through use of various connotative words such as “tempest”, perhaps he may be foreshadowing by telling us of the impending doom or the reality of Briony’s character and how it may change. Also, the authors opening scene is intended to foreshadow and this is, once again, impressionably done so through the introduction of Briony’s play, “The Trials of Arabella”, the tale is a tale of passion and is overly dramatic and childlike, and we can see that Briony’s thoughts are that she believes that one must reflect, redeem, get rewarded and that reckless passion and lust are wrong and that well-founded love is good. She believes that passion MUST be punished, one must reason and seek redemption, and therefore, we can see that in her head, she is very moralistic. And this may not be the case because sometimes passion May be good and love may be wrong, and not always will a good decision lead to a reward. However, as we see Briony’s head-strong belief in this moralistic view, we can see that there is impending doom as she will impose her influence on whatever situation she can.

Thus, we can clearly see that, through the use of connotative meanings and the introduction of Briony’s character that Ian McEwan effectively introduces is protagonist, and in doing so, impressionably foreshadows the impending doom that forms the course of the novel.

National Identity

Write 500 words analyzing the role of one character in the novel and how the author uses them to convey ideas about National Identity.

Captain Corelli is created to express DeBernieres’ thoughts about the stereotypical views of different nationalities. The novel contradicts the idea of a book having its title but its main character comes after the book has gone halfway.
Corelli was first introduced to the readers through Carlo’s descriptions; “he observed life with raised eyebrows”, “he would say things for the sake of their value as amusement”, “he did not care what kind of impression he made”. These descriptions make Corelli a carefree person, filled with sense of humour, but also love women. He is a man full of sense of humour, cheering everyone up, he is the shining star within a group. By creating “La Scala”, it reveals the passion for music that Corelli has; this gives Corelli an artistic side. These could be the common characteristics an Italian soldier might possess.
But as an officer of an army, Corelli is describe as not serious and being funny. This shows that the Italian army is not very serious about this war; they do not care about this battle, and put soldiers’ lives at a low price. This could also reveal the heartless characteristics of Italian soldiers. There were no organisation or planning before the battle at the island, this enlarges the careless thoughts of the Italians, but also the over-confidence that is within the soldiers. Humourous but careless are characteristics that a typical Italian soldier might have.
Captain Corelli plays the mandolin in his group “La Scala”, this gives him leadership. Within any group of music, usually the person who can sing and play the instrument can have the skills but also the trust from others to lead the group. Through this, you can say that Italian soldiers have the ability to lead a particular group.
From being broken-hearted, Carlo’s heart is cured with the presence of Corelli. Corelli heals Carlo’s heart and makes him a life-loving man again. Through his artistic skills, his sense of humour, excludes his charming appearance, he now possesses Pelagia’s heart, after it has been smashed up by the comeback from Mandras. 2 people whose hearts have been broken, now are cured by Corelli through his typical characteristics that Italians soldiers might have. This info that DeBernieres adds into the novel, lets the readers know that Italians could be charming, intelligence and funny. You could say it is impossible for Pelagia to get angry at Corelli because he makes her laugh every time she sees him, the silliness he has around her also by being himself, not taking things serious.
In conclusion, we, as the readers, can say that a typical Italian man can have the sense of humour, the attractive appearance looking, the artistic value within their souls, and also the carefree characteristics, that does not take things serious.

Write 500 words analyzing the role of one character in the novel and how the author uses them to convey ideas about National Identity.

DeBernieres, through the novel, exposes ‘national identity’ as a major theme. He reveals the stereotypical views of each nationality and portrays them through certain characters. One in particular, is Benito Mussolini, where DeBernieres successfully illustrates him as the stereotypical Italian. However, DeBernieres only displays the negative stereotypical views of Italians through Mussolini in chapter 2. This can be juxtaposed later on to Captain Corelli, who is given the positive stereotypes of an Italian, paving the way for the reader to establish a stronger connection to Corelli. In chapter 2, Mussolini is depicted as the stereotypical Italian who is aggressive and judgemental, questioning and always acts before thinking.

Throughout chapter 2, it is clearly evident that DeBernieres shows Mussolini as a person who always acts before he thinks; a trait of a stereotypical Italian. This is achieved by the use of the fast-paced sentences that Mussolini uses. “Come here. Yes, you. Come here...Really, do you think so? I am not so sure.” There seems to be no time in Mussolini’s mind to stop and think about the decisions he is making. DeBernieres tackles this stereotype to show the type of man Mussolini was in history. He was a man who did make irrational decisions, mainly because he acted before coming to a valid conclusion. Along the chapter, DeBernieres thoroughly shows Mussolini’s incompetence to think before acting. He treats war like a game of chess, where pieces can be sacrificed willingly without a reason. When he speaks to the king of Italy about his plans, he is reckless, ignoring the millions of lives his proposed plan can affect. “Imagine the impression on the Fuhrer when he sees us sweep through Greece in a matter of days...But why not take [Greece and Yugoslavia]?...but it’s going to be a walkover anyway...But remember, we want to invade when we want to invade.” There is no emotion shown for the countless families he will affect if his plan does come into play. Mussolini speaks with such confidence that his plan will succeed, clearly revealing that he has not thought over it for alternatives.

DeBernieres presents Mussolini as aggressive and judgemental- stereotypes of an Italian. The way DeBernieres exposes Il Duce’s aggressive nature puts Mussolini as almost barbaric. He presents Mussolini as a big ‘bully’, who loves to inflame trouble. “We must continue to stir up liberation movements in Kosovo and irredentism in Tsamouria”. DeBernieres also depicts Mussolini as the one who brings the first fist in a fight. He wishes to initiate an invasion on Yugoslavia and Greece “without telling Hitler.” “It is a question of grasping opportunities and evading perils. It is also a question of expanding the empire...Imagine it...the whole Mediterranean littoral rebuilt into a new Roman Empire.” His method of action is very swift, decisive and forceful. DeBerniere’s selection of words expressed by Mussolini is also very aggressive. They are vulgar, unfriendly and alarming. “No, there idiota...In the name of God, do I have to do everything myself? What’s the matter with you, man? ...I must always be higher than them.” This flaunts Mussolini’s desire for greater authority with the way he speaks. It illustrates his aggressiveness, even to comrades. DeBernieres makes Mussolini a very judgemental character. This attribute is a stereotype, and intertwines to his aggressive nature. “I swear the country’s got warmer since the Great War. It makes men lazy, it makes them incompetent.” Mussolini shows repulsion to his own nation and its people. It shows his lack of sympathy for his country, revealing how aggressive he is. The reader now feels nothing but distaste towards Il Duce.

Another stereotypical view of Italians is their frequent use of questions when they do not agree to a certain statement or idea. This is a negative stereotype in which DeBernieres chooses to use, so that he can create a hateful and unwelcome connection between the reader and Mussolini. The majority of the questions Mussolini asks are rhetorical and commanding. “Really, do you think so? I am not so sure...I suppose you agree with everything I say? ...do I have to do everything myself? ...what else do you expect when you go fishing with hand-grenades?” This presents Mussolini as an irritating character who, when he can’t have his way, will attack with countless questions until he is victorious. DeBernieres wants to emphasise this stereotype, stressing how much Il Duce matches the negative stereotypical Italian.

DeBernieres has successfully portrayed Mussolini as a stereotypical Italian who always acts before thinking, is aggressive, judgemental and questioning. Although the stereotypes mentioned above do not apply to Italians in general, DeBernieres wants the audience to be introduced to a different range of identities and their national origins, from the aggressive Mussolini to the kind-hearted Carlo to the romantic Corelli.

Tuesday 27th September

Write a detailed personal response to the novel, Captain Corelli's Mandolin.

Comment on the following:

• Aspects of the novel that you enjoyed.
• Characters that you found interesting/well written...
• Aspects that you found frustrating (constructive criticism: explain why!)
• DeBerniere's style (use of epistolary, satire, narrative, monologue, blending of fact/fiction, multi-narrators etc...)
• Whether you would recommend this book.

Use paragraphs and write about 500 words.

NATIONAL IDENTITY

Write 500 words analyzing the role of one character in the novel and how the author uses them to convey ideas about National Identity.

DeBernieres, effectively uses various characters to shed light on his ideas and views on National Identity.Through the use of characters such as Corelli, DeBernieres is effectively able to express his portrayal of national identity through mostly the use of stereotypes, whether they are good or bad. DeBernieres does so because national identity and pride play a very important role/theme in the novel and in the war. For example, DeBernieres uses Iannis to convey his thoughts through an extract on page 53 where Iannis states in a clear-cut manner, a summary of all the stereotypes when it comes to Italians, Germans and Greeks. Not only is Iannis the character used to voice DeBernieres thoughts but Iannis is also established as the voice of Greece and in this way we see that Iannis is constructed to be a stereotypical Greek man. When Iannis gives the Corelli a summary of what Greeks are all about, on page 289, Iannis includes himself whilst describing the Greeks and we begin to see his role as a stereotypical Greek. He, not only is the voice of reason but, symbolizes intelligence, philosophy, education and reason. His extract describing Hellenic and Romoi Greeks talks collectively about Greece, himself included and he vociferates with passion, reason and great intelligence with his good vocabulary and vast understanding.Therefore, we can see that DeBernieres, through Iannis, apprises the readers of how “Greeks are equal to the best”, this is exemplified with how Iannis wants to educate his daughter and make her learned because he wants her to stand tall against other men and be among the best of medical patrons. Also, he states that Greeks are “hospitable to strangers” and this isn’t only an empty statement but DeBernieres sheds light on it as we actually see Iannis and Pelagia willingly taking care of Corelli despite his role as the ‘enemy’. Also, we are told of how Greeks are “nostalgic for something” and “hate solitude” and their hatred for solitude is described when we notice how Iannis makes regular visits to the Kepheneion and Pelagia to the well and is content with her company in her goat and Lemoni at times. Hence, it is seen through the Pelagia and her nursing father, the love for education and the desire to repress violence that they so willingly do, Pelagia with her desire to be like her father in the medical field and their need to be hospitable towards a stranger just for the mere reason that they are simple, pastoral people who don’t feel the need to be violent. And as most Greeks, they are described to be simplistic and pastoral in their lives, their lives in Greece, Greece with its ancient history and philosophy and art and literature, “she inspected the ruminating goat for ticks, burned them off with a hot needle and then burrowed through the coarse hair all over again.” Also, when Lemoni arrives with an injured pine martin and asks Iannis for help, he believes that he could simply spare the pine marten its burdens and suffering and kill, but because of the Greek within him that is reasonable, educated, controlled and nonviolent, he decides to do his best to rescue it, “he contemplated the deed for a few moments, exhorted himself to the act, he bathed the wound carefully and put single stitch in it.” Hence, it is through the simplistic lifestyle yet the great vast amount of knowledge and reason displayed through Iannis (And Pelagia) that the readers are apprised of the stereotypical view of Greeks that DeBernieres effectively sheds light in order to convey his ideas about national identity alongside securing the readers sympathy for Greece and its people.

Write 500 words analyzing the role of one character in the novel and how the author uses them to convey ideas about National Identity.

Write 500 words analyzing the role of one character in the novel and how the author uses them to convey ideas about National Identity.

The author uses Captain Antonio Corelli to convey to us the ideas about his national identity. He is an Italian captain in the novel and although the he is the title of the novel, he is introduced very much after the beginning of the book. It is almost half way through the book when he is introduced.
The very first time we read about him is when he orders his platoon to turn their heads and stare at Pelagia, whom he describes as “Bella Bambina.” The actual quote from the book is “Bella Bambina at nine o’clock,” he shouted, “E-y-e-s left.” From this we can see that Corelli was a silly character and also knowing that he is an officer of an invading force, we can see that Italians were disorganized, chaotic and didn’t take this seriously at all.
Before we see this we also see that the Italian army “disembarked apologetically” when they are an invading force and should be authoritative and forceful. This can be seen from “Down in the harbours the men of the Acqui Division disembarked apologetically from their landing craft and waved cheerfully but diffidently to the people in the doorways.” They are the exact opposite of the German army. They are cheerful when they are entering an island which they must conquer and the soldiers are waving at the local people. We also see that there was no organization or planning before the invasion of the island. We can also see that they are very relaxed and are ambling by. This can all be seen from “platoons of paratroopers ambling by, their commanders consulting maps”. This gives us an idea of how a typical Italian soldier would be. From this we can infer that the Italians are humorous people who do not take things very seriously.
From all the information we see about the Italian invasion force and the national identity of Italians match to Corelli. Corelli’s role in the book is the person who replaces the people who 2 other characters loved. Firstly there is Carlo, who loved Francesco but now loves Corelli and secondly there is Pelagia, who loved Mandras previously but now loves Corelli. In this role he shows us his national identity both when he is with Carlo and when he is with Pelagia.
Firstly, when he is with Carlo and his platoon, he had created “La Scala” which is a group of his soldiers who meet and sing in the latrines. This shows us a kind of comical view of Corelli and his platoon. Corelli had even made rankings with musical terms such as ‘breve’ or ‘semibreve’. Also, in Carlo’s description of Corelli, we can see that he doesn’t take life very seriously, carefree, humorous and exaggerated. We can also see that he is flamboyant and that he loves children, women and singing. This can bee seen from “prone to dramatic exaggeration….always larger than his circumstance….say things for the sake of their value as amusement, with an ironic disregard for the truth…observed life with raised eyebrows…..had none of that fragile self-pride that prevents a man from telling jokes against himself.” And “He adored children, and I saw him kiss a little girl on the head…..he loved to make pretty women giggle by snapping his heels together and saluting them with a military precision so consummate that it came over as a mockery of everything soldierly….His battery had a latrine known as ‘La Scala’ because he had a little opera club that shat together there at the same time every morning”.
Secondly, when Corelli is with Pelagia, he is always making her laugh and never gets angry at her no matter how hard she tries. For example, when Pelagia soaked his pistol in water to make it rust and was caught, “her heart galloped painfully with fear and anxiety” but Corelli didn’t give the reaction Pelagia wanted. He just said “I suppose you have done me a favor. I should have dismantled it for cleaning and oiling a long time ago” and lets it pass. He doesn’t take this seriously and punish Pelagia. Also he acts silly around her. Some examples are when he “tied a cork to a piece of strinf, and sprinted about the house with Psipsina in hot pursuit” and when he “sprang dancing to his feet, capering ridiculously and crying ‘I won, I won’”.
Therefore, the author uses Corelli’s role in the novel to show us the national identity of a typical Italian.

Social traditional barriers eradicated during WW1

Pat Barker expresses her thoughts and views about the social barriers, women especially, during the period of World War I through ‘Regeneration’. When the war broke out, all men (including young adults, males who are above the age of 18) were forced to join the army without questions. Their families, women, and children were not ready to let these men go but they had to. Therefore, the work that used to keep these men occupied was not running properly because there were no men working. Women came into the minds of the government, because they were the only one left. They were the last options. “middle-aged or elderly men, and women” – Pat Barker lists out the lucky ones who were allowed to stay back and avoid going to the war. The war, for the men was a tragedy and a destruction, that they had to face uncountable number of sicknesses and diseases, watching their mates’ deaths, living in the worst conditions that they could ever lived in. While for the women, the war, at first it was not an easy thing to leave these men, but then they were the only one left, they experienced freedom and liberation that they have never experienced before; raising their families on their own, being able to hang out with their friends, work in factories. These new freedoms made the women began to feel the power that they were getting, that they could live on their own and being responsible for their own lives. All through the novel ‘Regeneration’, we begin to see that women became more ‘manly’ in some ways, such as the way they talk, the language, and the way they act. “Raucous laughter”, “Eeh, I hope a man never tries to shove anything up her flue”, and “arseholes” are examples from the novel that show that the women had become stronger and more confident in their behaviours, mostly for the lower/working class women. The women’s advancements required time for them to adjust to their new rules and jobs, their new lives. “pulling”, “dragging”, and “donning” – these three words emphasise the idea that women are taking over the men’s roles in the society. Women are in charged of important meetings, jobs and also family-caring. The work they were getting used to was “even jolly for a time” – this proves that the women were enjoying their evolvement of roles in the society. The phrase “a group of women, thirty or forty perhaps sitting on the next table” that Pat Barker uses, lets us as the readers know that not only working-class-aged women were enjoying their freedom, but women of all ages were taking pleasure in this new change in roles in the society. “Subdued, they hadn’t yet managed to adjust” – all these new changes happened too quickly for the women to grab a hold of it, but no matter what they would fight for their freedom and independence. They were allowed to go to “men’s” places, ordering food not just cooking for them at home, being normal housewives, they were socializing, something so new that they have never experienced before. “Lizzy was keeping these young girls entertained…” – this tells us that women began to have stories to tell, knowing funnier and amusing things, and began to feel more freely and confident about themselves. Before the war women were seen as the lower sex, but when the war broke out, women gained their power and freedom. “She held her hand out to him in a direct way…” – women began to gain more confidence from taking over the men’s roles, while the men were losing their confidence. Men were emasculated, losing the male characteristics and being ashamed of them. Men were being injured, shot, and even for some men, who were facing difficulties doing normal things others can do such as walking or seeing, were seen as cowards and they have to live lives which they thought those were “half-lives”. It was not so easy for the men after the war, expecting their women to stay home and cook, looking after the kids, but everything was the opposite. The women were now working, making and spending their own money, and probably for some they were looking down to the men. Everything became the opposite for the men after the war. Destruction became disappointment.

Eradication of Social Barriers in the course of WW1

‘To what extent does Barker suggest that traditional social barriers have been expanded or eradicated during the course of WWI?’

Throughout the novel, Barker gives many points suggesting the traditional social barriers have expanded and also eradicated during the course of World War One. She shows these points by writing on topics such as emasculation, the role of Women during the war, their changed attitudes and freedom.

Firstly, she approaches emasculation to suggest the eradication of the traditional social barriers. Soldiers who were traumatized in the war were sent back for treatment and they were emasculated because they didn’t follow the ideals of a man at that time. Men who succumbed to their fear and broke down were seen as cowards and deserters. The ideals of a man were to be brave and restrain the show of emotions or sentiments because they were seen unfit for men. It was exceptionally emasculating to cry and many men who were sent to Craiglockhart War Hospital did cry. They had extremely traumatizing war experiences which were beyond their abilities of restrain. To show fear of anything at all was considered cowardice and men were expected to be unafraid, including horrific war experiences. One example from the book is Anderson, who had developed a phobia of blood from a traumatic war experience. He was a surgeon in the front and there he had treated a French soldier who was covered in mud and couldn’t speak a word of English. The problem was that even after Anderson treated all the visible wounds which weren’t all that visible thanks to the mud, there was a bigger wound covered up by the mud. Hence the soldier hemorrhaged and Anderson had to watch him bleed to death. This particular experience completely emasculated Anderson. He even had an emasculating dream about him being naked then wearing a corset, which only women wore to look more attractive. In the dream, he remembers wearing his uniform, which would represent a man’s pride and then he is naked which show that his pride has been stripped off of him. Here Barker uses symbolization to describe the emasculation of Anderson.

Secondly, Barker uses the role of women, their changed attitudes and their independence to show traditional social barriers disappearing. Women both lost and benefited from the war. They lost their precious husbands and sons but they got much more freedom and independence. All the men were in France but the factories had to keep running and the empty places left by the men had to be replaced by the women. Hence women now had better paying jobs. This also affected them so that they gained masculine traits. There are many examples in the book. Firstly, Prior, a character in the novel finds a group of women sitting in the café. This would not have been a common sight before the war. They were also not of the same age; 3 of them were younger than the other, Lizzie. They were all brought together by the war. They were talking and laughing loudly which was considered unacceptable prior to the war. Even the topic of their conversation was sexual, which would have been a very shameful topic to talk about in public for women prior to the war. The oldest one of the group, Lizzie, is entertaining the other girls with stories of sexual content with usage of vulgar language. This shows that women picked up masculine traits. Their language is also clearly uneducated. They also appear to be a little drunk and display undignified behavior. We also see that Sarah approaches Prior first which was very unlikely and she also “held out her hand to him in a direct, boyish way..” which shows that she is not behaving the way women did before the war. Sarah also “knocked them back” where “them” would refer to the drink she ordered/ this shows us how the women are free to drink alcohol. Here masculine characteristics are displayed again. Also, in the book there is a part which says “They seemed to have changed so much during the war, to have expanded in all kinds of ways, whereas men over the same period had shrunk into a smaller and smaller space.”, where the “They” refers to women. This shows us that while men are losing their confidence, women are gaining it. As the book progresses we can find more points to show the changing attitudes and increasing freedom for women. In the later part, we can find words such as “overalls”, ”cigarette” and ”sweat” which were uncommon among women in the previous to the war. They also use vulgar language frequently with examples such as “arseholes” and “bugger” and they also openly discuss the subject of homosexuality which would be a taboo topic and the way they speak display a lack of respect for men.

Hence, Barker suggests that social barriers had been eradicated during the course of World War One to a large extent and she shows many examples to support it. Throughout the war, women gained more and more masculine traits and also gained confidence while men lost their confidence.

Greek Involvement in WW2

Greece Involvement in WW2
Greece was involved in WW2 from October 28th 1940. That was when Italy invaded Greece from the state of Albania. Fortunately, Italy got pushed out of Greece back into Albania. This defeat of the Axis Powers forced Hitler to mobolise his German troops into Greece on April 1941. There was a great battle, to control the Greek forces which took six weeks and delayed the German invasion of the USSR. Some historians considered this the turning point of WW2 because this brought a winter state of battle for the German troops when against USSR which the German troops was not adapted to.
The German invasion of Greece was quick. However the Greek forces resisted on the island of Crete with immense force that caused Fallschirmjäger the elite German battalion the casualties of nearly 7,000 men. These heavy losses eradicated the hope of a successful and massive airborne invasion of the USSR and further expansion in the Mediterranean saving Malta Gibraltar Cyprus and the Suez Canal from other airborne invasions.
After the occupation of the Axis Powers, when they thought Greece was under their control a large scale resistance movement developed in the country. The resistance movement tied down large numbers of Axis divisions. However, due to political tension between the resistance groups, a civil conflict amongst them arose in late 1943 until the spring of 1944.
The exiled Greek government contributed greatly to theWW2. They formed their own military forces and fought alongside the British forces in the Middle East, North Africa and Italy. The Greek Merchant navies supplied the Allied forces with war merchandise.
Mainland Greece was liberated by the occupation of Germany when German forces withdrew after facing the advancing Red Army in October 1944. German garrisons still continued to hold out in the Aegean Islands until after the war ended. The country was overwhelmed by war and the harsh treatment during the occupation of Germany. Its economy became hyper inflated and many buildings and homes were left in ruin. Greece suffered the casualties of 300 000 men during the occupation and the Jewish minority was almost completely exterminated in the Holocaust. The civil war between the British and American-sponsored conservative government and communist guerrillas followed soon after.
The Greek contribution towards resisting the German troops in the islands of Crete delayed the German invasion of the USSR which allowed a winter state of Battle which gave the USSR a high advantage. Furthermore the fierce Greek forces made the Fallschirmjäger suffer the casualties of 7,000 men. This was extremely successful because this was the elite German battalion that was a part of a massive airborne invasion of the USSR. Many historians still believe that the source of the turnover in WW2 was due to Greek contribution. On top of that the Greek forces also contributed by resisting the Axis power and having an exiled Greek government that fought with the British Army in North Africa, Italy and Middle East. The same exiled Greek government supplied the allied powers with war merchandise as well.
Sho Suzuki and Daniel Lee

Social traditional barriers eradicated during WW1

In “Regeneration”, the reader will come across three very prevalent themes that are associated with expansion and eradication of traditional social barriers in the midst of World War 1. The three themes are Emasculation, Women’s Roles and Sexual Independence. During The Great War, the views, situations and roles had changed. When war broke out, women may not have been ebullient to send their beloved sons and husbands to war, but in a peculiar way, they were content with the war because they experienced a liberation they never experienced before, they were now the only people left to run factories, and they were responsible for their own lives and this made them feel powerful and this also instilled male characteristics in them, mostly in the lower/working class. So even though war brought death and destruction for men, it brought about liberation for women. We begin to see that women evolved in such a way because they didn’t want to go back to being submissive wives, they wouldn’t let their freedom be taken away so conveniently. Women slowly realized that they could establish their own life single-handedly outside of their home-makers role, “six days a week, but she liked to work.” And Barker sheds light on this through the following, “The smell of steak frying reminded him of home….” Here we see that Barker first establishes how the women were meant to behave in a traditional manner, but to follow that up, Barker uses Prior to go into a pub and chance upon a few middle aged and older women sitting there. And here Barker uses the phrase “a group of women, thirty or forty perhaps sitting on the next table. “ So here we see that FIRST Barker states clearly the expected role of women, but war brought about change and unexpected joy for women and hence, one would know find a traditional social barrier eradicated. It is eradicated because Barker sheds light on the fact that these women are now finally going out, and they aren’t just cooking for themselves, they are ordering food and socializing in a ‘mans’ place. And not only are these women young, but this war has united all women from all ages. The phrase “Lizzy was keeping these young girls entertained…” further emphasizes the fact that, prior to the war, these women were walking cardboard boxes with no experiences of their own, but now they had stories to tell, they had personalities to exuberate and they had responsibilities of their own. Also, traditional barriers to equality between the two sexes was eradicated, “She held her hand out to him in a direct way…” the aforementioned phrase sheds light on how women are now, during the war, perceived as no longer the lower sex and are now behaving openly in more boyish manners. In fact, almost everywhere one went, they were seeing how women were growing in confidence, women go out and “burst out into minor explosions of giggles” and have fun and they fall “in with the other girls” because, now society lacks the male presence and women have taken over every aspect of life back home. Although they aren’t fully adjusted to it, “Subdued, they hadn’t yet managed to adjust”, but they won’t give it up no matter, because even if they are working hard, they “appear to be jolly” even if they are in bad working conditions. Also, Barker uses Sarah and her girls to discuss Betty’s alleged abortion and this sheds light on how traditional social ideologies have been eradicated and in place of them, women push aside the idea of “the sole purpose of life being the need to reproduce” but rather, being open to abortion and contraceptives because this new role to them was much more exciting than being a ‘home-maker’ again. Also, not only did women become overly confident, they also indulged in open discussions about sex and were sexually independent. Something they wouldn’t have been prior to the war, Barker uses Sarah to emphasize on how women were approaching men openly and were being flirtacious and drinking one drink after the other. Also, they were openly discussing sex lives and indulging in vulgar, coarse, brash and sexual discussions, “arseholes, bugger”, “he went to the club”, even homosexuality which was taboo to discuss, was openly debated. And this sexual liberation sheds light on how they’ve lost their respect for men. “Raucous laughter” is a phrase that Barker uses to suggest the type of masculinity and vulgarity that encapsulates these women and how they have become, contrary to what pre-war society wanted them to be, sexual and otherwise independent.