Literature of the Great War and its Relation to the Modern Reader

Abstract

This study offers an analysis of the relation between wartime fiction, specifically that of World War I novels, and the understanding of the modern-day reader. Literature from America, England, and Germany will be explored, as these nations had significant roles in the worldwide conflict and represent both Allied and Central Powers. This exploration will attempt to argue that while fictional works are not a substitution for primary historical sources, they can offer supplemental information that allows for readers to have a further understanding of what life was like during World War I. To further prove the argument, the differentiation between memory and history will also be discussed as it pertains to wartime fiction.