Humour in British First World War Literature


Book Description

This book explores how humorous depictions of the Great War helped to familiarise, domesticate and tame the conflict. In contrast to the well-known First World War literature that focuses on extraordinary emotional disruption and the extremes of war, this study shows other writers used humour to create a gentle, mild amusement, drawing on familiar, popular genres and forms used before 1914. Emily Anderson argues that this humorous literature helped to transform the war into quotidian experience. Based on little-known primary material uncovered through detailed archival research, the book focuses on works that, while written by celebrated authors, tend not to be placed in the canon of Great War literature. Each chapter examines key examples of literary texts, ranging from short stories and poetry, to theatre and periodicals. In doing so, the book investigates the complex political and social significance of this tame style of humour.







Laughter and War


Book Description

War is no laughing matter. During a war, however, laughter can play a vital role in sustaining morale, both in the armies at the Front and in their homelands. Among wars, the 1914–18 conflict has left a haunting legacy, and remains a central topic in modern European history. This book offers a comparative study of the impact of the war in four countries, and breaks new ground by exploring this through the medium of what their respective populations laughed at. By searching the pages of four humorous-satirical magazines, Punch in the UK, Le Rire (France), Simplicissimus (Germany), and Novy Satirikon (Russia), all of which supported the national war efforts, it examines the ways in which humour made an important contribution to the propaganda war. All four magazines were famous for their cartoons, a selection of which is included, but much of the humour was expressed through the written word, in skits, squibs, comic tales, and light verse. Translated into English, these snapshots of the moment are brought together to chart the responses on both sides of the conflict to issues and unfolding events, identifying the stories that nations liked to tell about themselves and also the ones they liked to be told.




The British Soldier


Book Description

Trieste Publishing has a massive catalogue of classic book titles. Our aim is to provide readers with the highest quality reproductions of fiction and non-fiction literature that has stood the test of time. The many thousands of books in our collection have been sourced from libraries and private collections around the world.The titles that Trieste Publishing has chosen to be part of the collection have been scanned to simulate the original. Our readers see the books the same way that their first readers did decades or a hundred or more years ago. Books from that period are often spoiled by imperfections that did not exist in the original. Imperfections could be in the form of blurred text, photographs, or missing pages. It is highly unlikely that this would occur with one of our books. Our extensive quality control ensures that the readers of Trieste Publishing's books will be delighted with their purchase. Our staff has thoroughly reviewed every page of all the books in the collection, repairing, or if necessary, rejecting titles that are not of the highest quality. This process ensures that the reader of one of Trieste Publishing's titles receives a volume that faithfully reproduces the original, and to the maximum degree possible, gives them the experience of owning the original work.We pride ourselves on not only creating a pathway to an extensive reservoir of books of the finest quality, but also providing value to every one of our readers. Generally, Trieste books are purchased singly - on demand, however they may also be purchased in bulk. Readers interested in bulk purchases are invited to contact us directly to enquire about our tailored bulk rates.




All in It : K(1) Carries On


Book Description

In Ian Hay's novel 'All in It : K(1) Carries On', the readers are presented with a humorous and satirical portrayal of life in the British Army during World War I. The book is filled with witty dialogues and clever observations about the absurdities of military life, making it a delightful and engaging read. Hay's writing style is characterized by its sharp wit and keen eye for detail, transporting the readers to the trenches of the Great War with vivid imagery and compelling storytelling. The novel is a perfect blend of humor and social commentary, offering a unique perspective on the realities of war and its impact on the individuals involved. Hay's ability to balance humor with deeper themes makes 'All in It : K(1) Carries On' a standout work in the genre of war literature. Ian Hay, a British playwright and novelist, drew inspiration for the book from his own experiences serving in the army during World War I. His firsthand knowledge of military life lends authenticity to the narrative, giving readers a glimpse into the daily struggles and triumphs of soldiers on the front lines. Hay's background as a soldier and his keen sense of humor shine through in the pages of 'All in It : K(1) Carries On', creating a compelling and memorable reading experience. I highly recommend 'All in It : K(1) Carries On' to readers who enjoy witty satire and insightful commentary on war and society. Ian Hay's masterful storytelling and sharp wit make this novel a must-read for anyone interested in World War I literature or British humor.




The British Soldier


Book Description

Excerpt from The British Soldier: His Courage and HumourI did not need a war of nations to learn about the courage and humour of the British soldier. As a book I wrote called "Mr. Thomas Atkins" shows, I had studied and appreciated him during the thirty-one years in which I served as Chaplain to the Forces. Still, it was pleasant to read despatches and letters from the seat of war highly praising my old friend. This book is based upon the strong, clear letters of Mr. Thomas Atkins (I am never guilty of the impertinence of calling him "Tommy") which were written amidst the stress and strain of war, often even in the pauses of battle. I have done little more than select and classify the letters of that best of war correspondents - the British soldier. The letters are a credit to his head and his heart, and throw a searchlight on the war. The soldier wrote of the things he knew about, and the result is that we can see his pen pictures.About the PublisherForgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.comThis book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.




FUNNY STORIES FROM THE GREAT WAR


Book Description

Even in the midst of the death and destruction of war there are strange and funny occurrences. Occurrences made hilarious and farcical because of the circumstance in which they occur. These hilarious occasions are more often than not recalled with greater ease and much mirth long after the war has ended and everyone has gone home. Their recall is made easier if only because soldiers would prefer not to recall the painful memories that come with the experience of having been in battle. Herein are over 300 short stories, anecdotes, pranks, jokes and laughable affairs recalled by servicemen after the Great War patiently collated and published with care by Carleton B. Case in 1919. TAGS: Funny Stories from the Great War, funny, jokes, pranks, anecdotes, laughable affairs, Carleton Case, hilarious occasions, recall, World War One, World War 1, World War I, WWI, WW1, Great War, trench humour, humor, trench humour,




A Bloody Picnic


Book Description

One of the crucial factors which kept Tommy going on the Western Front was his facility to see what was comic in the horror, deprivation and discomfort of trench warfare, an attitude which blossomed further in the rest areas behind the lines. The nature of the comedy ranged from gentle irony to a rougher hilarity that produced on belly laughs. Such laughter could arise from extreme physical pain and discomfort, from the provision of sustenance and from matters relating to dress, equipment and weapons. A further source of fun was bizarre events not dissimilar to situation comedy and pantomime. Moreover, a whole culture of humour surrounded Tommy's words and songs, and many trench pets – cats, dogs, horses, goats, even rats – were in on the joke in one way or another. Nor was it only the British soldiers who managed to find something to laugh about in the trenches – the Germans could sometimes see the funny side as well. A Bloody Picnic provides an unusual perspective on how soliders coped with the grim realities of the First World War.




The British Soldier


Book Description




Handbook of British Literature and Culture of the First World War


Book Description

The First World War has given rise to a multifaceted cultural production like no other historical event. This handbook surveys British literature and film about the war from 1914 until today. The continuing interest in World War I highlights the interdependence of war experience, the imaginative re-creation of that experience in writing, and individual as well as collective memory. In the first part of the handbook, the major genres of war writing and film are addressed, including of course poetry and the novel, but also the short story; furthermore, it is shown how our conception of the Great War is broadened when looked at from the perspective of gender studies and post-colonial criticism. The chapters in the second part present close readings of important contributions to the literary and filmic representation of World War I in Great Britain. All in all, the contributions demonstrate how the opposing forces of focusing and canon-formation on the one hand, and broadening and revision of the canon on the other, have characterised British literature and culture of the First World War.