There's a cliché that comes to mind when the subject of women writers is brought up: "A woman's work is never done", to that age old phrase the words under appreciated should be added -- Women's poetry of World War I is no exception.
As WWI raged, women stepped up and became a mighty force, a ridged backbone during the war effort. This was dark time in history for every man, woman, and child all over the world. Poetry was an outlet for many of these people but for the purpose of this essay I'm going to focus on women's poetry.
During this War of Nations, women left their homes to go to work in factories or actually became part of the war effort -- flying planes, making weapons, nursing the wounded, actually active in the trenches.
The women, who worked in factories or were left back home to wait and wonder about their loved ones, often wrote of their experiences and feelings in prose or poetry. Some of the notable women poets were: Madeline Ida Bedford, Eva Dobell, Marian Allen, and Jessie Pope to name a few.
Madeline Ida Bedford wrote the poem Munition Wages. In this piece she wrote about the wages she made working in a munitions factory. When reading the poem, she seems to be bragging how life was better working in the factory but I read a bit of irony between the lines. Her last stanza sums the meaning up powerfully -- Worth while, for tomorrow if I'm blown to the sky, I'll have repaid my wages, in death – and pass by. www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/ltg/projects/jtap/tutorials/intro/women/#wages
Not much information can be found about Madeline Ida Bedford as with many poets, she disappeared from sight.
Jessie Pope wrote the poem The Call. I found this piece to be wistful and sad. She's writing about the lads of war and wondering about the thankfulness of those affected and writes prayers for those fighting the war: Two. I ain't ashamed o' prayers, They're only wishes sent ter God Bits o' plants from bloody sod Trailing up His golden stairs.
Ninety seconds – Well, who cares! One – No fife, no blare, no drum – Over the Top – to Kingdom Come!
www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/ltg/projects/jtap/tutorials/intro/women/#wages
She was an English poet and a pro-war propagandist who lived in Britain.
Eva Dobel was a British Nurse who was known to write poems about her patients. She wrote the poem Pluck; But when the dreaded moment's there He'll face us all, a soldier yet, Watch his bared wounds with unmoved air, (Though tell-tale lashes still are wet),
And smoke his Woodbine cigarette.
www.oldpoetry.com/oauthor/show/Eva_Dobell
Marian Allen wrote the poem The Wind on the Downs: Flying, ever flying overhead,
Here still I see your khaki figure pass, And when I leave the meadow, almost wait
That you should open first the wooden gate.
www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/ltg/projects/jtap/tutorials/intro/women/#wages
In the above poem she wrote of the landscape and wrote with a naturalistic voice. Not much information can be found on this poet. She may have taken the way many poets of the time and disappeared.
As with all poets, these notable ladies wrote of pain, death, hopes, and dreams. They found poetry an escape mechanism from the bombs, and guns of reality. Even from the trenches of dirt and blood their muse aspired to live on page.
“Poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion; it is not the expression of personality but an escape from personality. But, of course, only those who have personality and emotion know what it means to want to escape from these”-- Emily Dickinson
Author notes
Women Poets of WWI
EVA DOBELL
oldpoetry.com/oauthor/show/Eva Dobell
oldpoetry.com/opoem/33907 ‘PLUCK’
MARIAN ALLEN
oldpoetry.com/oauthor/show/Marian Allen
oldpoetry.com/opoem/50172 ‘THE WIND ON THE DOWNS’
MADELINE IDA BEDFORD
oldpoetry.com/oauthor/show/Madeline Ida Bedford
oldpoetry.com/opoem/55288 MUNITION WAGES
JESSIE POPE
oldpoetry.com/oauthor/show/Jessie_Pope
oldpoetry.com/opoem/52139 THE CALL
Written July 19th, 2006
In a list
A contest entry
- Essays for Oldpoetry by Old Poetry.
500 points, ended August 16, 2006, 8 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 12 of 12
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btw i forgot to mention (sorry) that i really found your essay a thought- provoking piece work, thanks once again,xxs
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hi have u read any more works by Jessie Pope as im writing a presentation on ww1 literature and i wanted to write about her work as i was intrigued on her view after 'who's for the game' if you have any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated, xx
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i think that it is really meaningfu
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bloody outstanding stuff... sometimes I love to get to the heart of the matter.. and you've covered such a fragile suject now as this era is fading fast into a distant memory as the oldest survivors are now nearly all gone.. so thankyou for raising this topic to our attention.
A great study ... I love Eva Dobel's work.. I covered her stuff in college.. thankyou for reminding me of her.. the way she describes men coughing is outstanding.. and the smell of woodbines.. if you've never smelled them.. she was the woman to bring the stench to your nostrils..
bloody marvelous .. he's me- clapping at the back -
I commend this work for the honor it gives to women writers. Far too often their efforts are overshadowed by the heroes, when heroines deserve great tribute as well. You have done them justice with with this exceedingly well written essay. The information is insightful, your musing stellar.
My grandmother was an R.N. during WWII, she worked in the V.A hospital, and was the mother of eight children. Her dedication to those soldiers sent home with missing limbs, and many other devastating ailments stayed with her all her life. She used to share stories with us. You have inspired me to go to the well to be refreshed in her memory, and create something in her honor. THANK YOU!
This is an admirable writ my friend. I wish you all the best in the challenge.
Much Love,
Renee
Edited on Jul 31, 10:00 p.m. because '
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yes, this essay is very useful and informative, it open my eyes onto a newer form of poetry, one that i haven't really realized before this....your essay was great!! :]
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This is very interesting and well done. I went to google and had a nice journey, and that's all because of you. Thanks so much, and best regards.
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Interesting piece focussing on both women and war (things that interest me) and how they combined in the first world war. I have studied mostly male first world war poetry but very few female pieces- so I should take a look at these
Keep writing, this was a very informative, well written piece
Thanks for your comment
All the best
Pozo
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Brava! Brava!
Dearest Poet! This was inspired! I think today, after reading it, of the women who are actually at war in combat in today's world. Women do what they have to do and with incredible courage. I am printing this out to reread and also to explore the wonderful research you povided. This is a wonderful gift! Thank you, Jane -
World War 1 poetry in particular is a personal favourite and have recently got my hands on a copy of 'Scars Upon My Heart ' An anthology of women’s poetry on War and its effects on life, family, their husbands, sons - it's a fabulous anthology compiled by Catherine Reilly The title is from a poem by Vera Brittain oldpoetry.com/oauthor/show/Vera_Brittain www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jbrittain.htm
This is what your essay reminded me of, as each of the women in the Anthology had something to say about their life changes whilst men were fighting.
Congratulations on a job well done.
rufina
Edited on Aug 06, 10:53 p.m. because ''. -
You've got a lot of information in this and nowadays women are dominaing (At least on this site) Hardly ever do you get to see male poets
Best of luck in the contest
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Hello. I am pleased to see your entry. You have lit the torch that, hopefully, others will pick up in this competition. In doing so you have shed light upon poets whose contributions are no less valid than the likes of Owen and Sassoon.
Thank you.
Jim
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