Who Is Vera Brittain's Chronicle Of Youth?

Chronicle of Youth, written as an autobiographical diary by Vera Brittain between 1913 and 1915, follows her own life during World War 1 as she approaches her twenties and begins to figure out what the war really meant to her. As she begins logging entries in 1913, she is nineteen years old living in England and trying to find herself and what she wants to do with her life. As the book continues, she gets more and more involved in the war, eventually suffering great tragedy and loss because of it and adjusting her feelings about the war along the way. Chronicle of Youth depicts a real scenario suffered by many as they began to lose the initial respect and patriotism they hold for their countries during times of inhumane battle and loss. Because of her initial patriotism, it is

She mentions war for the first time in August 1914: “If we at this critical juncture were to refuse to help our friend France, we should be guilty of the grossest treachery and sacrifice our credit for ever” (73). Much like the rest of the countries worldwide, England is utilizing fear and a sort of propaganda within their government to push people to join the infantry. Similar to the United States, there are frequent advertisements supporting men to go and battle and a variety or items (women, the prospect of future success, and more) to encourage those who are undecided. It is revealed that Vera has a sort of boyfriend, Roland, who also is close to her brother Edward. Roland and Edward both aspire, much as she does, to go to Oxford University. Vera, much like many people during the war, actually prefers that Roland go off to battle so that she can eventually meet him at Oxford. She basically views death as something that only affects the worst of people, and that is shown in her ignorance. In reference to Roland attempting to become a soldier, she says “I do hope he gets it”, as “he stands the best chance of going to