Themes and Quotes for English Exam for Novels

Themes and Quotes for English Exam for Novels

1. Birdsong

   • Love
     • Stephen and Isabelle
   • Dehumanisation
     • "if they could see the way these men live they would not believe their eyes. this is not a war, this is an exploration of how far men can be degraded. I am deeply curios to see how much further it can be taken; I want to know. I believe that it has barely started." (145)
       • 'They', people at home in ERngland and unaware of what is occurring at war.
   • Brutality of war
     • I believe that far worse things that we have seen will be authorised and will be carried out by millions of boys and men like my Tipper and your Firebrace." (145)
       • Stephen is critising the war, as he has had first hand experiences with it.
   • Coping Mechanisms
     • But one day's sleep, hot food and wine in their bellies and they will do more. I think that they will do ten times more before it is finished and I'm eager to know how much." (145)
       • The fact the men can continue going and going is striking to him. this piece sets the tone for Stphen's view of the war and humanity.
   • Lack of understanding and sympathy from those at home
     • "No child or future generation will ever know what this was like. They will never understand." (403)
       • Journal entry. Sent from Stephen. Show how the true understanding and meaning of the war will never be understood by people who were not directly involved with it.
   • Negative attitudes towards war
     • "I do not know what I have done to live in this existence. I do not know what any of us did to tilt the world into this unnatural orbit." (403)
       • How people involved in the war feel that they were unfairly targeted to be part of it. it also shows how the world is no longer 'natural' and all normality has been taken by the war and its actions.

2. Regenration

   • Soldiers thoughts and feelings
     • Sasson's declartion
       • Hgher authorities
         • "I am making this statement as an act of wilful defiance of military authority, because I believe that the war is being deliberately prolonged by thoses who have the power to end it." (3)
           • The higher authorities potentially have the power and authority to end the war. but they are not. instead continuing the suffering and pain for the troops admitted to war.
       • How others feel towards the declaration
         • "'So you agree with his view but not his actions? isn't that rather an artificial distinction?' 'No, I don't think it is. the way I see it, when you put your uniform on, in effect you sign a contract. and you don't back out of a contract merely because you changed your mind.'" (23)
           • Graves responds with a complex attitude towards war and protest. Although Graves agrees with Sassoon that the war is wrong, he cannot condone Sassoon's method of protest. grave's views are based upon traditions of duty and honour- concepts taught by English people-e especially upper classes.