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The Same Old Moon by Bruce Bairnsfather
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The Same Old Moon by Bruce Bairnsfather
A cartoon by Bruce Bairnsfather, with one panel a traditional romantic idea, and the other a cynical subversion of it, brought on by the lethality of trench warfare. Date: 1915
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Media ID 14141300
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Bairnsfather Bruce Cynical Homefront Romantic Trench Warfare
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The Same Old Moon
EDITORS COMMENTS
is a poignant and thought-provoking cartoon by renowned British satirical artist Bruce Bairnsfather, created in 1915 during the height of the First World War. The image captures the stark contrast between the idealized notions of love and romance held on the homefront and the harsh realities of trench warfare experienced by soldiers at the frontlines. In the first panel, we see a traditional romantic scene: a couple gazing at the moon from their cozy home, with the woman resting her head on her lover's shoulder, expressing her longing for him. The caption reads, "And she said, 'Oh dear, I do miss you so!'" In the second panel, we are transported to the trenches, where a soldier, huddled in the mud and rain, also gazes at the moon. However, his thoughts are far from romantic longing. Instead, he wryly comments, "And he said, 'I wish to God it was a gas-shell!'" Bairnsfather's use of humor to subvert the romantic ideal is a poignant reminder of the stark contrast between the safety and comfort of the homefront and the brutal realities of war. The moon, which symbolizes the constant presence and comfort of love, is a reminder of the longing and yearning felt by both the couple at home and the soldier in the trenches. However, the soldier's cynical comment underscores the harsh reality that the moon, and the love it represents, offers little comfort in the face of the lethality of trench warfare. This powerful and thought-provoking cartoon provides a unique insight into the experiences of soldiers during the First World War and the impact of the war on romantic notions and ideals. It is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by soldiers and the contrasting experiences of those on the homefront.
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