Introduction

Abstract

By assembling passages from some of the many different documents of the Great War, this book attempts to give an indication, necessarily brief and selective, of the ways in which writing interacted with the events of the time. Creative writers do not merely ‘respond’ to circumstances; they tend to be in advance of general opinion and to play some part in shaping it, so that they may take on the role of prophet, teacher or interpreter. They foresee, warn, encourage, comment, satirise, denounce, celebrate, commemorate, record. Sometimes they remain aloof, but that was not easy in 1914–18; Wilfred Owen remarked in 1915 that Keats had ‘remained absolutely indifferent to Waterloo and all that commotion’, but Keats never had to face the intense moral challenge of the casualty lists and the recruiting posters. Are YOU in this? Why aren’t YOU in khaki? Step into your place. ‘Be honest with yourself — be certain that your so-called reason is not a selfish excuse’ — Lord Kitchener — ENLIST TODAY. Take up the Sword of Justice. Fight for Freedom with the Strength of Free Men. Come lad: slip across and help. Each recruit brings peace nearer. More men and still more men.