Stepdaughters of War

Choose one question and write a short essay (5-6 pages) on that topic.

1. Helen Zena Smith’s novel addresses the experiences of group of female ambulance drivers during World War I. How did the experience of these women change their perceptions of “femininity” and female roles?  According to the novel, how did the experience of World War I change perceptions of gender in wartime Britain, if at all?

2. Analyze Not so Quiet as an example of anti-war literature. What elements (plot, character, setting) make it successful or unsuccessful, in your view, as a novel demythologizing or opposing war?

3. Analyze the role of social class in Not so Quiet. Did the experiences of the First World War reinforce class identities or weaken them, according to the novel?  Why?[unique_solution]

4. After the war, the younger generation that fought in World War I was often called the “lost generation.” Do the characters in Smith’s Not so Quiet support this characterization?  Why or why not?

5. Helen Zena Smith’s Not so Quiet presents a challenge to historians because it is fiction — a novel rather than a history. Using your Gilbert/Large text and the afterward in Smith’s book, evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using Smith’s novel as a primary source. What problems does the novel raise for the historian? Is the use of this novel to study the history of World War I legitimate?  Why or why not?

Instructions:

1. In your answer, please be sure to use specific examples and quotes from the book to illustrate and support your arguments.
2. Page citations must be provided in the form of footnotes in Chicago/Turabian format. Please refer to the handout on Chicago/Turabian citation guide at our blackboard site under “Course Documents.”
3. The paper should provide a clear and structured presentation of the material. It should have an introduction with a thesis, a body of well-organized paragraphs supporting your arguments, and a conclusion.
4. The paper should be typewritten and 5-6 pages (double-spaced, standard font and margins) in length. Please staple your paper.
5. Papers are due in class on Friday, Feb. 18. Late papers will be penalized one grade level (+ or -) per day.