Littlewood Anti-War Sentiments Analysis

In what ways are the writers exploring anti-war sentiments? Consider the view that Oh What a Lovely War is more effective in shocking the audience
Oh What a Lovely War is more effective and shocking compared to Journey’s End because it’s overt in its anti-war sentiments. It demonstrates this by ridiculing the politicians and leaders who run the war. Littlewood conducts a play, acting like a slaughterhouse, of men and boys, using a non-naturalistic style. Journey’s End uses a true representation to portray the war in a realistic way. Both tell the truth of the war; however Littlewood does this in more of an extreme way.

Littlewood explores anti-war sentiments theatrically, using adlibbing to break the fourth wall between actors and audience. Jokes and humour are used to contrast the reality of war. QUOTE. This becomes sardonic because the war is part of our history, so laughing seems inappropriate.

In OWALW the
People still found it difficult to confront the horrors of the war, and most wanted to fill it with a care-free attitude and a hedonistic view in the 20s and 30s. This is reflected as an extreme play for the time because audiences were still sour, whereas now history interests us and the events that it took.

Littlewood effectively explores a range of roles in society, from leaders to generals on the front line. In the ballroom scene, upper class leader stereotypes talk using cliché such as ridiculous nicknames like “fanny” and “Plant Pot”. Littlewood intends for these particular characters to be disliked, ironically Lady Haig reminds Haig of the fitting “for his new boots”. This is paradoxical as a slide has told us that 80,000 men were suffering from trench foot. This scene is juxtaposed with photos of dead Germans on slides and a song “Hush! Here comes a Whizz Bang”. This is upsetting to witness because the soldiers are being treating wrongly despite the great service they are