Humour in British First World War Literature: Taming the Great War

This book explores how humorous depictions of the Great War worked to familiarise, domesticate, and tame the conflict, drawing on familiar genres and forms. It examines key examples of literary texts, ranging from short stories and poetry to theatre and periodicals, investigating the complex representational, political, and social significance of the tame strand in humorous Great War literature.

Format: Hardback
Length: 235 pages
Publication date: 08 September 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This captivating book delves into the fascinating realm of how humorously depicted the Great War played a crucial role in familiarizing, domesticating, and taming the conflict. While the well-known examples of First World War literature often highlight the immense emotional upheaval and the extreme brutality of the war, other writers employed humor to promote a gentle, mild amusement, drawing upon familiar and popular genres and forms that predated 1914. In these humorous portrayals, tameness triumphs over the unmanageable, and the temperate surpasses the extraordinary.

Humor in British First World War Literature emerges from a rich tapestry of little-known primary material unearthed through meticulous archival research, as well as works by celebrated authors that often fall outside the purview of Great War literature. Each chapter delves into critical examples of literary texts, encompassing a diverse range of genres such as short stories, poetry, theatre, and periodicals, in order to explore the intricate representational, political, and social significance of the tame strand in humorous Great War literature.

The book begins by examining the historical context in which humor emerged as a coping mechanism during the Great War. It explores how the war's unprecedented scale and horrors challenged traditional notions of heroism and bravery, leading to a shift towards a more nuanced and relatable portrayal of the conflict. Humor provided a means of dealing with the trauma and uncertainty of the war, allowing individuals to find solace and laughter amidst the darkest of times.

The subsequent chapters delve into the various forms of humor employed by writers during the war. They explore the use of irony, satire, parody, and dark humor, among others, to convey the absurdity and futility of the war. Authors used humor to challenge societal norms, question authority figures, and poke fun at the military hierarchy. They also used humor to humanize the soldiers, portraying them as ordinary men caught up in extraordinary circumstances.

One of the key themes explored in the book is the role of humor in promoting a sense of camaraderie and unity among soldiers. Humor served as a means of breaking down barriers and fostering a shared sense of identity among those who were fighting for their countries. It helped to alleviate the isolation and loneliness experienced by soldiers on the front lines, providing a much-needed respite from the horrors of war.

Furthermore, humor played a crucial role in shaping public perception of the war. It helped to undermine the propaganda and misinformation spread by the military and government, presenting a more realistic and nuanced view of the conflict. Humor allowed individuals to challenge the dominant narratives and see the war from a different perspective, which in turn contributed to a greater understanding and empathy for the soldiers who fought in it.

The book also examines the impact of humor on the soldiers themselves. It explores how humor helped to maintain their morale and resilience during the war. It provided a means of coping with the physical and psychological toll of combat, allowing soldiers to find humor in the most unlikely of places. Humor also served as a means of bonding with fellow soldiers, creating a sense of shared experience and understanding that helped to strengthen their relationships and support systems.

In conclusion, this book offers a fresh and insightful perspective on the role of humor in the Great War. It demonstrates how humor was used as a tool to familiarize, domesticate, and tame the conflict, providing a means of coping with the immense emotional and physical toll of the war. Through its examination of key examples of literary texts, the book highlights the complex representational, political, and social significance of the tame strand in humorous Great War literature. This book is a valuable contribution to the field of war studies and will be of interest to scholars, students, and anyone with an interest in the human experience of conflict.

Weight: 450g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031340505
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023