“Only, I felt, by some such attempt to write history in terms of personal life could I rescue something that might be of value, some element of truth and hope and usefulness, from the smashing up of my own youth by the war.”
In conceptualizing her memoir, Brittain had a difficult time finding the right approach or perspective to offer it with. Rather than just offer her experiences point blank she wrote the experiences that resonate with the whole idea of war and social aspects. She highlights the effect of war on her and young people like her and consequently the shared suffering of everyone in the social sphere at the time. The First World War was an occurrence that was unlike any other seen in the modern age therefore entailed lessons and experiences worth assessment. Brittain's documentation of her experience and the community at large offered absolute truth on the cost of war which is rare.
“How fortunate we were who still had hope I did not then realise; I could not know how soon the time would come when we should have no more hope, and yet be unable to die”
In modern times, post-traumatic stress disorder is a well-understood condition that ails people exposed to extreme and horrific experiences. However, before the Great War, the idea of trauma was seen as a subjective feeling that would be disregarded and viewed as cowardice. Brittain having been exposed to the extreme violence that had yet to be comprehended up to that point had adverse effects on her mental health. She charts the state paranoia and trauma that haunts her after the experience which she would have never fathomed before.
“For me, as for all the world, the War was a tragedy and a vast stupidity, a waste of youth and of time; it betrayed my faith, mocked my love, and irremediably spoilt my career.”
The beginning of the war was held as simply political escalation due to shortcomings in diplomacy, but the ensuing conflict escalated to a devastating ordeal that affected every aspect of society from sociopolitical to economic elements. Following the war, Brittain changed academic vocation and dedicated it to history and ideas of warfare. She meant the memoir to act as a caution for future generations on the cost of drastic decisions and lack of diplomacy. The war left a wound that lasted as grief and loss for individuals and society at large and took strength to reconcile the damage.
