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indeedsir_backup2009-11-09 11:17 am
bulldogscram.livejournal.com) wrote in indeedsir_backup2009-11-09 11:17 am
Entry tags:
World War II
Hello all!
A few questions on canon and historical context occurred to me and I was wondering if anyone could help with them? The topic is fairly seasonal, given the time of year.
Am I right in thinking that in Ring For Jeeves, there is either no mention of Bertie serving in WWII or it's hinted at that he didn't serve? Is there any mention/lack of mention of the same for Jeeves?
Setting RFJ aside and briefly dragging our beloved characters into the real world, can anyone tell me whether either Bertie or Jeeves would have been conscripted? There was certainly a period during which the British government conscripted most men between the ages of 20 and 41. Taking a fairly general view of the likely ages of both, this would seem to affect both Jeeves and Bertie. Also, would Bertie's class have affected this in any way? For instance, was there a trend for conscription to affect the lower classes before the upper classes?
I'm afraid that my grasp of WWII era social dynamics and politics is shallow at best. Also a copy of Ring For Jeeves is impossible for me to get my hands on at the moment. Really looking forward to hearing peoples thoughts and opinions on this!
A few questions on canon and historical context occurred to me and I was wondering if anyone could help with them? The topic is fairly seasonal, given the time of year.
Am I right in thinking that in Ring For Jeeves, there is either no mention of Bertie serving in WWII or it's hinted at that he didn't serve? Is there any mention/lack of mention of the same for Jeeves?
Setting RFJ aside and briefly dragging our beloved characters into the real world, can anyone tell me whether either Bertie or Jeeves would have been conscripted? There was certainly a period during which the British government conscripted most men between the ages of 20 and 41. Taking a fairly general view of the likely ages of both, this would seem to affect both Jeeves and Bertie. Also, would Bertie's class have affected this in any way? For instance, was there a trend for conscription to affect the lower classes before the upper classes?
I'm afraid that my grasp of WWII era social dynamics and politics is shallow at best. Also a copy of Ring For Jeeves is impossible for me to get my hands on at the moment. Really looking forward to hearing peoples thoughts and opinions on this!
no subject
I cannot see Bertie backing down from his duty to his country. I just... no. And the same for Jeeves. However, I really liked the points you raised. Though I should imagine that there was quite a lot of social stigma attached to fleeing in the face of conscription?
no subject
Some, certainly, but not necessarily 'a lot'. There is never only one point of view about anything, so there would be people who would criticise it, but there would also be plenty who would not. It wasn't the same as the First World War, when girls used to hand out white feathers to accuse non-combatant men of cowardice; the world had learned exactly how grim modern warfare could be.
But I think Bertie would probably find a way of doing his duty by his country without exposing himself to personal danger. He could well be in uniform but in a non-combatant role - in Supply or the Pay Corps for example. And one has to ask whether he'd actually be any use as a front-line officer; does he have any relevant skills? (Jeeves does, of course. It would be amusing if Jeeves ended up in a higher rank than Bertie.)