Answer Four Of The Following Six Essays.

Answer four (4) of the following six essays Be sure to address the question posed

Due 12/18/19 I. Answer four (4) of the following six essays. Be sure to address the question posed. 2.5 PAGES DOUBLE SPACED EACH QUESTION. No citations needed, just answer the questions.

“Nothing but the Clouds Unchanged: Artists in WWI Edited by Gordon Hughes and Philipp Blom” for question that related to class work. This is the book we discussed in class. It’s about artwork in WWI in Europe. Focus on European art and use this book as reference since it’s relevant. A.

The cultural impact of World War One was profound and widespread. Many veterans of the war were artists whose experiences on the front influenced their artwork in the post war years. Using specific examples show how the First World War was portrayed in the works of the German artists we discussed. What techniques did they employ to capture the horrors of WWI and its aftermath?

B.

Two of the most significant literary works concerning WWI were Erich Maria Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front and Ernst Juenger’s Storm of Steel. Although both authors were German, their description of the war and their response to the war differed greatly. Compare and contrast these two works.

C.

Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms is, perhaps, the best known American novel of WWI. How does Hemingway react to the war, how does he treat the theme of love in a time of war, the contrast between life affirming and death confirming imagery?

D.

Youngsters were very often exploited in the course of WWI. How were youth portrayed in the relevant stories and poems we read and discussed in class?

E.

The First World War in the Middle East is an aspect of the conflict that is sometimes overlooked, but with lasting consequences to this very day. Discuss the importance of T.E. Lawrence (“Lawrence of Arabia”), the Sykes-Picot Agreement and the Armenian Genocide in that regard.

F.

Several poets that we read and discussed underwent a profound change in attitude toward the Great War from initial enthusiasm to disappointment and disillusionment having served on the Western Front. Using relevant examples, discuss their reactions to trench warfare, loss of life, and nationalism in specific poems.

Briefly identify five of the following six concepts or personalities

• 1. Expressionism
• 2. dhimmitude
• 3. Gen. Allenby
• 4. Chaim Weitzman
• 5. “stab in the back”
• 6. David Lloyd George

Paper For Above instruction

World War I had a profound influence on the arts, literature, and political landscapes across the globe, especially in Europe and the Middle East. The war’s brutality and devastating consequences led to a reevaluation of cultural expression and national identities. This essay explores how European artists depicted the horrors of WWI, contrasts literary responses by Remarque and Jünger, discusses Hemingway’s portrayal of war and love, examines the portrayal of youth exploited during wartime, and analyzes the geopolitical repercussions of Middle Eastern developments such as T.E. Lawrence’s role, the Sykes-Picot Agreement, and the Armenian Genocide.

The Artistic Reflection of the Tragedy in WWI

The visual arts during and after WWI were marked by a departure from traditional representations, embracing new techniques to depict chaos, trauma, and disillusionment. German artists such as Otto Dix and George Grosz employed jagged lines, distorted figures, and bleak color palettes to capture the horrors of trench warfare and societal decay. For example, Dix’s artwork "The Trench" vividly portrays smoldering ruins and exhausted soldiers, emphasizing the chaos and devastation. Similarly, Grosz’s "Damage" uses fragmented forms and harsh contrasts to reflect the fractured psyche of a war-torn society. These techniques aimed to evoke emotional responses and serve as a critique of the war’s brutality and the disillusionment that followed.

Literary Perspectives: Remarque versus Jünger

Erich Maria Remarque’s "All Quiet on the Western Front" conveys the profound disillusionment and trauma experienced by German soldiers. Its narrative is visceral and empathetic, emphasizing the futility of war and the suffering of the individual soldier. In contrast, Ernst Jünger’s "Storm of Steel" presents a more heroic and stoic view of war, highlighting the camaraderie and adrenaline of combat, even amidst chaos. While Remarque’s work underscores the emotional toll and loss, Jünger focuses on the formidable soldierly experience and the sense of duty. Both works serve as poignant reflections but differ significantly in tone and outlook—Remarque’s for anti-war sentiment and Jünger’s recognition of wartime valor.

Hemingway’s "A Farewell to Arms": War, Love, and Imagery

Hemingway’s novel portrays war as corrupting and absurd, emphasizing disillusionment. His protagonist, Frederic Henry, reacts to war with detachment yet is profoundly affected by loss and suffering. The novel explores love as a sanctuary amidst chaos; Catherine Barkley’s love provides temporary respite from the violence surrounding them. Hemingway contrasts life-affirming imagery—such as the natural beauty of the Italian landscape and moments of tenderness—with death-confirming symbols like injury, mortality, and the looming presence of death. This juxtaposition underscores the complex human response to war, where hope coexists with despair.

Portrayal of Youth in WWI Literature

Many stories and poems depict young soldiers as exploited and dehumanized, often symbolizing innocence lost. In Sassoon’s poetry, like "Base Details," young soldiers are portrayed as disillusioned and resigned, victimized by the adult powers that manipulate them into war. Similarly, in stories such as "The Dead," the youthful loss of innocence and the tragic senselessness of death are highlighted. These portrayals convey the devastating impact of war on the younger generation, emphasizing their vulnerability, forced maturity, and the societal failure to protect them from the horrors of conflict.

Middle Eastern Geopolitics and Their Lasting Impact

The Middle Eastern theatre of WWI is often overlooked but remains significant. T.E. Lawrence, or “Lawrence of Arabia,” played a pivotal role in uniting Arab tribes against the Ottoman Empire, influencing post-war Arab independence aspirations. The Sykes-Picot Agreement clandestinely divided Ottoman-held territories between Britain and France, sowing seeds of future conflict and mistrust. The Armenian Genocide, perpetrated by the Ottoman Turks, resulted in the systematic extermination of a million Armenians and left enduring scars in regional history. These events shaped the modern boundaries, conflicts, and identities in the Middle East, with repercussions still felt today, emphasizing the war’s complex geopolitical legacy.

Poets’ Disillusionment with WWI

Many poets initially celebrated the war’s patriotic call but later experienced profound disillusionment. Wilfred Owen, for instance, wrote powerful poems like "Dulce et Decorum Est," criticizing the romanticism of war and exposing its grotesque reality. Owen vividly describes the horrors of gas attacks and the suffering of soldiers, contrasting patriotic ideals with brutal truths. Sassoon’s poetry similarly reflects a loss of faith in leadership and nationalism, highlighting the loss of innocence and the senseless death of youth. These poets’ works reveal a trajectory from naive enthusiasm to bitter disillusionment, capturing the profound psychological scars left by trench warfare.

Brief Concept and Personality Summaries

• 1. Expressionism: An art movement emphasizing emotional experience over realism, characterized by distorted imagery and bold colors to evoke mood and subjective perspective.
• 2. dhimmitude: A historical term referring to the status and treatment of non-Muslims living under Islamic rule, often characterized by protected but subordinate status.
• 3. Gen. Allenby: British Field Marshal who led Egyptian and Middle Eastern campaigns during WWI, pivotal in the conquest of Palestine and the defeat of Ottoman forces.
• 4. Chaim Weitzman: A Zionist leader and politician who became the first Prime Minister of Israel, instrumental in advocating for the Jewish homeland.
• 5. “stab in the back”: A German myth claiming that Germany’s military defeat was due to internal betrayal rather than battlefield failure, fueling nationalist conspiracies.
• 6. David Lloyd George: British Prime Minister during WWI, known for his leadership in mobilizing war efforts and post-war negotiations, shaping Britain’s role in the League of Nations.

References

• Hughes, Gordon, and Philipp Blom, eds. "Nothing but the Clouds Unchanged: Artists in WWI." Thames & Hudson, 2014.
• Remarque, Erich Maria. "All Quiet on the Western Front." Little, Brown, 1929.
• Jünger, Ernst. "Storm of Steel." Translated by Michael Hofmann, Penguin Classics, 2003.
• Hemingway, Ernest. "A Farewell to Arms." Scribner, 1929.
• Sassoon, Siegfried. "Counter-attack and Other Poems." Faber & Faber, 1918.
• Owen, Wilfred. "Poems." Edited by C. Day Lewis, Chatto & Windus, 1963.
• Lawrence of Arabia: Biography by David Lean. Britannica.
• Sykes-Picot Agreement. BBC. BBC.
• The Armenian Genocide. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. USHMM.
• Baron, Beth. "The Modern Middle East." Routledge, 2017.