Knightly News

Over the course of thousands of years, the world has drastically changed with rising and falling empires. Still, poetry has stayed consistently present throughout all of that time. Poetic literature is one of the oldest human innovations that has still survived to this day. However, society has come to the point where the popularity of poetry is on a major decline. The growing indifference towards literature could be traced to a variety of factors. Still, the cause of the issue is far less important than the issue itself.

Before I had picked my topic for a Thesis paper, I knew that my argument would focus on literature. However, it was difficult to choose a specific field considering how broad literature is. I was initially drawn to a topic which I already had experience. However, I challenged myself to branch out into something I had little knowledge of. Literature is such a broad subject, the possibilities of study are near-endless. This means that there are hundreds of avenues for impactful study. However, when I talked to a teacher, they recommended that I look into a field of literature that is commonly brushed over today: literature from World War I.

Interestingly, the First World War is a period that most people know little about; it is often shadowed by the more exciting World War II. Still, the war had an immense impact on European society; there is a reason it was dubbed the war to end all wars. Still, we often skip over what role the war played in the lives of those living through it.

The most interesting part of World War I, to me at least, is that the soldiers who fought it were young adults. Most English soldiers were barely into adulthood, while some were so eager that they lied about their age to fight. I was extremely drawn to this fact, as it seemed odd to me. Why would so many young men, about to enter the prime of their lives, be so eager to risk their lives? As a teenager, these questions captivated me. While I live over 100 years after these soldiers, I am of a similar age to them. What would I have done if I was thrust into their situations? Through research, I hoped to uncover the answers surrounding these questions through the lens of literature.

I think most people can understand the pressures facing young adults. They are in an awkward middle phase of life in which they are no longer children, but they are not old enough to be respected as adults. Everyone around them seems to place extremely high expectations on who they should or shouldn’t be. Additionally, peer pressure and a desire to conform are most oppressive during this age. Now take those issues, and add a war threatening to consume all of Europe to that list.

In England, it was quickly seen as an honorable and righteous cause to fight in the war. There is a lot that could be argued as to why this idea sprung up. However, it is clear that the wartime fervor was built upon already established during the Victorian era. The society of Victorian Britain focused on now-traditional ideals of masculinity, heralding traits such as stoicism and athleticism. With a society holding these traits close to their hearts, it was an easy task to convince them of the importance of fighting for their country. The English government quickly created a sense of urgency in the populace through propaganda.

However, the eagerness of the English youth was not met with opportunities for glory and fame. Instead, that eagerness was met with a reality that fell far short of any expectations. The conditions of the war were horrible not only to fight in but to live in as well. Most of the soldiers who fought in the dark, damp trenches were not pleased with the conditions. My thesis explores this reaction, but it focuses on one way in which soldiers displayed their upsetness: poetry. Interestingly, poetry was very popular among soldiers, many of whom needed a way to stay occupied during the hours in the trenches.

My thesis explores how the works of war poets such as Wilfred Owen displayed a clear departure from the idealistic literature of Victorian England and portrayed the world in a more realistic manner. In doing this, this poetry marked a leap for literature.

Hear more from Justin and the LAUNCH presenters on March 18th. LAUNCH is an Upper School showcase started by a small group of students in 2014. This full day, TEDx-style event features the talents, research and innovations of tomorrow's leaders. You don't want to miss this special event!

Justin Dynes is a member of Episcopal’s Class of 2022, and he has attended Episcopal since Kindergarten. He is on the Track and Field team, in Quiz Bowl, Mu Alpha Theta, and Mock Trial. His favorite hobbies are reading, writing, and trivia. Through his Thesis, he hopes to further his love for literature while examining its effects on society. In college, he plans to study Biology with a Pre-Med focus as well as English.

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