This week we started looking at love letters from the war. This was a huge mood and tone change compared to the letters we read last week. It was refreshing to read about a more lighthearted subject, such as love. It juxtaposes the previous letters we read last week. We listened to the podcast “Behind the Lines”, which reads out and analyzes various love letters and breakup letters from the war. Listening to a podcast was a new and creative way to examine more letters. I thought it was a really cool aspect being able to have people’s voices read out the letters to us. It added more personality and authenticity to the letters that reading them in your head simply lacks.
The Love letters were so cute. They were really up-lifting. A few quotes I wrote down from the podcast include the following:
1.) “Never forget how much I love you…my last breath on the battlefield I shall whisper you name.”
2.) “Your picture- you- are heavenly.”
3.)”This girl shall be my wife.”
Through all the letters it is clear how much care and love was put into them, and letter writing is truly a much more intimate way of communication compared to texts nowadays.
The breakup letters were a lot more bitter. These letters were often called “Dear John Letters” Example:
1.) “I never said I was the greatest; you did.”
Getting to look at a few breakup letters really brought reality in and reminded me that these people are just like us, it doesn’t matter how long ago it was. Everyone falls in love and everyones experiences heartbreak. We’re all human. Although these letters were very different than the letters we read last week, similar main themes are present. It is obvious that there is a sense of care and want to protect loved ones throughout all the letters we’ve examined this semester. Next, we listened to a DVD of “Dear Bessie”, love letters back and forth between Bessie and Chris. Once again, it was quite evident that letters served as a great comfort and source of hope between lovers. The readers accents and the details of the letters being read made it very authentic. The voice actors did a really great job illustrating the desperateness of both writers and their despair & pain of being apart when longing to be together.
Examples/Quotes from “Dear Bessie” audio reading:
1.) “Your letter sent my spirits rocketing sky high.”- Bessie
2.) “If I lose you I lose all.” -Bessie
3.) “Now that you have my ear, you must have my heart as well.” -Christopher
In addition to the “Dear Bessie” DVD, we watched a TED talk about a woman who started writing love letters and leaving them around NYC for people to find when in need. I thought this was such a nice idea, sometimes knowing that someone out there cares about you can make a huge difference in somebody’s life.
