1. Fortune and Fate
Read Source 2 – Douglas’s last letter home and Source 4 – Letter of condolence to his father.
On 8 December, Douglas wrote home about his good fortune in winning the Gentleman’s shooting competition. Two weeks later, his family received a letter containing details of his death. Compare and contrast the tone of these two letters.
2. Source 4: Letter of condolence, December 1916
Given the circumstances, this would have been a very hard letter to write. Analyse the overall structure, language and succession of points set out in the paragraphs and comment on how well you think J P Berry approached such a difficult and sensitive task.
3. A short life in the sky
Having read a selection of the original letters written by John Douglas Hume during WW1, what impression have they made on you about the life of this young pilot? Summarise your feelings, in no more than 100 words.
4. Writing Activity
Here are a variety of suggestions for practising your writing skills. Select from the following options:
Short stories
4.1 Write a short story using one of the following titles:
• A typical day in the life of a teenager!
• Hearing the news
• Hospitalised
4.2 Write a short story using one of the photographs as your inspiration:
GD486/204
|
GD486/179
|
GD486/209b
|
Letter writing
4.3 We have been able to find out about the life of Douglas Hume by piecing together extracts from his many surviving letters. Together, they tell a story.
Write a series of 3 letters that gradually reveal a story.
Here is an example you might like to use or you can create your own ideas:
| |
Letter 1: Ann writing to Jane, setting the scene |
| |
Ann writes to her friend Jane telling about her recent quarrel with Mary. In doing so, Ann gives the reader some idea about her own character and that of Mary and their dislike for one another. Ann goes on to tell Jane that she saw Mary at the skating rink the previous day and ends her letter with a casual remark that Mary now has a broken arm |
| |
|
| |
Letter 2: Jane’s reply to Ann, building the tension |
| |
Jane replies to Ann with concern for Mary but hints at her uncertainty as to whether Mary’s fall was an accident or not.
Was Ann responsible? How can Jane find out the truth without accusing Ann directly? |
| |
|
| |
Letter 3: Ann’s letter to Jane, solving the mystery and bringing an end to the story |
| |
Bring the matter to a conclusion of your own choice – was Ann guilty or not? |
| |
|
Keeping a diary
4.4 Douglas was a keen letter writer. It could be said that his letters form the next best thing to a diary. Imagine you have just celebrated your birthday.
Write 3 diary entries set around the event covering:
• the lead up to the big day
• the actual day
• the aftermath
Base your entries on your own personal experience. What was good or bad? Did it meet with your expectations? Were there any touches of humour or sadness attached to the day?
Discursive writing
4.5 Write a discursive essay using either of the following:
• In this technological age, letter writing is a waste of time and effort.
• ‘Let those who come after see to it that his name be not forgotten.’
Source 5: Posthumous award, memorial scroll, 1918
NAS: GD486/210
Additional Activities
1. William Butler Yeats wrote this poem, ‘An Irish Airman Foresees his Death’ in 1919 in memory of a friend’s son who was shot down and killed by friendly fire during WW1. Compare and contrast this poem with the letters of Douglas Hume. What differences and similarities are there?
An Irish Airman Foresees his Death
W B Yeats
I know that I shall meet my fate
Somewhere among the clouds above;
Those that I fight I do not hate,
Those that I guard I do not love;
My country is Kiltartan Cross,
My countrymen Kiltartan's poor,
No likely end could bring them loss
Or leave them happier than before.
Nor law, nor duty bade me fight,
Nor public men, nor cheering crowds,
A lonely impulse of delight
Drove to this tumult in the clouds;
I balanced all, brought all to mind,
The years to come seemed waste of breath,
A waste of breath the years behind
In balance with this life, this death.
(This poem is reproduced by permission of A P Watt Ltd on behalf of Grainne Yeats.)
2. Class discussions
2.1 During WW1, information was usually passed on by letters, telegrams and telephone. Discuss how news and information is circulated today.
2.2 Look at newspaper, television and website coverage of current conflicts in the world. Discuss their content, impact and slant and where possible, compare them with coverage of events from the first half of the 20th century.
2.3 As there are so many conflicts and wars in this world, should society continue to honour and remember the war dead? Discuss.
|
