Wipers Times

• Areas of context to consider

  Life of the young soldier in the trenches.

  Role of people at home.

  The role of women.

  How masculinity is presented.

  How language has been affected by the writer's views, experiences and feelings.
• Roles of the young soldier

  Manual work.

  Keeping themselves and their equipment clean.

  Mundane chores.
• Battle of the Somme

  60,000 people died in one day at the Battle of the Somme.
• Texts before the Somme


  Abstract, worthy, hopeful, rhymes and repetition - shows a certainty and confidence.
• Texts after the Somme


  More personal, bleak and about death.
• P in PHIL


  Perception of war - how is war depicted in relation to reality?
• H in PHIL


  History - how does this relate to ordinary people in the war?
• I in PHIL


  Individual - how has the individual been affected? How have they changed?
• L in PHIL


  Language - how are the changes and affects explored in the language of the text?
• Purpose of The Wipers Times

  Satire was unique to the British.

  People in Ypres were bored and required entertainment.
• Why did Hislop and Newman write 'The Wipers Times'?

  They don't want this to get lost in time.

  It is not a journal of record but a journal of jokes.

  The newspaper was written at the time - under fire and under pressure.
• Fichtean curve


  Series of escalating mishaps or triumphs.

  Builds up to a climax (which is sort of an anti-climax).
• Why base the first scene in 1931?

  Bumper edition of 'The Wipers Times' had come out in 1930.

  Centre of calm - recovery from the Great Depression - before the storm (WW2).
• 1914


  Men generally accepted that if they were unmarried and able-bodied, they were expected to join up.
• Conscription introduced


  1916
• Refusal to conscript on the grounds of

  Poor health/poor eyesight.

  Age (18-41 accepted).

  Your dependants would be destitute (e.g. widowed with children).
• 1916 Military Service Act


  Men could refuse to fight on the grounds of being a conscientious objector.
• Two categories of conscientious objectors

  Absolutionists (no involvement in war).

  Alternativists (non-combatant roles - ambulance driver).
• Patriotism in WW1


  Acceptance of war was expected whilst refusal was punished - applied to everyone - everyone had their duty.

  Schools encouraged patriotic ideas and military training.
• Media and patriotism


  Influence on the public was becoming more obvious - low desertion rates and high volunteering rates.

  Nationalist militants in colonies did not disrupt the war effort and instead contributed.
• Anti-war demonstrations


  Didn't disrupt mobilisation or train timetables.

  People did not gallantly and joyfully march into conflict - dispelled by public surveys carried out at the time.
• Despite these surveys...


  Positive attitudes among soldiers and artists remained.
• What did war mean for ordinary men?

  Separation from their families.

  Possible economic hardship for both themselves and their families.

  Perspective of death and suffering.
• Short war illusion


  Caused excitement about new horizons and risks.

  The feeling of inevitable patriotism mitigated positivity.
• 1917


  Legitimacy of WW1 begins to be directly challenged by soldiers.
• Legitimacy of WW1


  Late 1914 - will to fight decreased as recruitment rates slowed and eventually stalled - exit strategies were developed.
• Response to desertion


  Applied disciplinary measures to prevent it.

  People could be shot for 'cowardice'.
• Why did people start to question WW1?

  War was a lot longer and costlier than many soldiers had expected.
• 1915


  Political debate surrounding a steep drop in enlistments was sparked.

  January 1916 - conscription began.
• The war ended in 1918, but...


  People didn't begin leaving their posts until January 1919, making the long war even longer.
• Post-war reactions - Government


  Acceptance and refusal remained an important discussion.
• Post-war reactions - Veterans

  Veterans associations defended executed soldiers.

  Statues and memorials were erected to pay tribute to soldiers.
• Post-war reaction - Writers


  Disillusioned writers apologised for their ignorance.
• Post-war reactions - Ordinary people

  Volunteers were glorified and pacifists tried to make sense of the war.
• What does Roberts say about journalism?


  "it can't be that hard."

  "a bit like Punch. Except with jokes."

  "I propose we do so by just writing down any old thing that comes into our heads."

  "that shadow of censorship enveloping us..."
• What's Roberts' platoon's attitude towards journalism?

  They're very lax - unlike characters like the Deputy Editor who believe that journalism is just a competition.
• Roberts on Journalism


  Roberts tries to be profound in his discussion of what they should print but it comes out as sarcasm towards more politically affiliated commanders.
• What was Punch?


  Political magazine comprised of cartoons that were informative.
• What is the significance of Punch?

  Possible reference to Hislop's satirical newspaper - Private Eye - focuses on current political issues.
• Skits in 'The Wipers Times'

  Around 30 seconds - reflects music hall entertainment.

  Performed by other characters.

  Embedded within the scene.

  Sometimes accompanied by the original 'Wipers' adverts.