International Brotherhood and Feelings of Suffering in Select American German and British War Writings a Brief Survey of Similarity

Abstract

First World War was a global event involving most parts of the world. Though the war newlineoriginated in Europe; apart from the European countries like Germany and Britain, America newlineparticipated actively in the international conflict. This thesis examines the way in which newlineAmerica, Germany, and Britain shared a complex relation with each other; how they initially newlinecarried feelings which were mostly negative yet a sense of brotherhood always prevailed within newlinethem. To have a better understanding of the phenomenon of transformation of the feeling of newlineenmity into the feeling of fraternity, the thesis deeply delves into the exploration of selected newlinenovels that includes the following: newline(i) American novels John Dos Passos Three Soldiers (1921) and Ernest newlineHemingway s A Farewell to Arms (1929) newline(ii) German novels Erich Maria Remarque s All Quiet on the Western Front (1929) newlineand Ernst Juenger s Storm of Steel (1920) newline(iii) British novels Richard Aldington s Death of a Hero (1929) and Siegfried newlineSassoon s Memoirs of a Fox-Hunting Man (1928) and Memoirs of an Infantry newlineOfficer (1930) newlineThis thesis is a consequence of research and study from the perspectives of two theories newlinetrauma theory and just-war theory, with a vision to explore the elements of international newlinebrotherhood and suffering. Trauma theory helps to gain an in-depth understanding of the newlinesuffering psyche and Just-war theory helps to expose the political hypocrisy and power newlinemongering that led to merciless destruction of an entire generation. Hence, the thesis explores newlinethe evolution of war, from being a means of defence to a means of attack and the transformation newlineof the soldiers, from suffering in the war to leading lives of insanity, although their expression newlineof their insanity differed from each other. newlinevii newlineThe importance of the sentiments related to the war and the complexities revolving around newlinethese sentiments across nations and nationalities are primarily focused in this thesis. The sense newlineof international brotherhood and suffering is seen to be a common