Discussion Questions
February 7, 2006
- If we overlook the sometimes satirical tone of Wells, what
does the "women and war" excerpt by Wells tell us about the
personal side of war? To what degree is what Wells describes
'fiction'? What was your reaction to this excerpt, and why?
- Propaganda plays on emotions, fears, etc. in order to be
effective. Keeping this in mind, how effective would Win the War
Suggestions have been as propaganda? What were the tactics
and/or arguments used?
- What does the Win the War Suggestions tell us
about a) contemporary perceptions of women and their roles; b) contemporary perceptions of Canadian society;
c) homefront life; d) gender roles and relations. Are there
similarities and/or differences between the viewpoints of Win the War
Suggestions and the Globe editorial of February 4,
1918?
- Women were an integral part of the propaganda program of
each country. In looking at Women: Myth, Symbol, and
Reality, what were the various roles in which women were cast?
What reaction, emotional or otherwise, was each poster designed to
elicit? Are there common themes which tie together the posters?
Which single poster did you find to be the most powerful, and why?
- How do the posters differ from the postcards? What do
the postcards tell us about nations at war?
- How do the poems fit with the content of the other material
this week?
- Is the Globe correct in its statement that by
1918 the war hade done much to remove class distinctions and barriers?
What evidence so far from this course could you use to argue the
affirmative? To argue the negative?
- What do the letters to and from women tell us about the
female war experience?