Sarcastic take on the Rigours of war on Home Front - WW1

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Sarcastic take on the Rigours of war on Home Front - WW1

WW1 - Sarcastic take on the Rigours of war on Home Front by Phyllis Spence. (from left) Standard Dress the Lady of the house horrified by the standardised form of ladies dress encouraged during WW1, removing frills and fancies for plain styling. The Pig replaces the Pug - dog owners (particularly women) were criticised for wasting resources by keeping pet dogs, particularly toy dogs. The Hidden Hoard of Potatoes - the biggest single social crime on the home Front during WW1 was a perceived hoarding of foodstuffs over and aboves one rationed allowance. Here the potatoes have been stashed in a mattress. Date: 1917

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Media ID 14186616

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Change Crimes Critical Criticism Distinction Extravagance Hoard Hoarding Horrified Housemaid Lifestyle Phyllis Potatoes Resources Sarcastic Savings Simplicity Spence Standard Values Waste Wastage

EDITORS COMMENTS
A Sarcastic Take on the Rigours of War on the Home Front - WW1 by Phyllis Spence During World War I, the home front underwent significant changes as families and communities adapted to the challenges of wartime. This satirical print by Phyllis Spence, created in 1917, offers a humorous yet insightful commentary on some of the social issues that arose during this period. On the left, we see a lady of the house, horrified by the standardised form of ladies' dress encouraged during WW1. Gone are the frills and fancies, replaced by plain, unadorned garments. The woman's expression suggests her displeasure at this enforced simplicity, as she clutches a discarded, frilly dress. Next, a pig replaces the traditional pug or toy dog, a not-so-subtle critique of dog owners, particularly women, who were criticised for wasting resources by keeping pets, particularly toy dogs. In a time of scarcity, the argument went, these resources could have been put to better use. Finally, we see a hidden hoard of potatoes stashed in a mattress. The biggest single social crime on the home front during WW1 was a perceived hoarding of foodstuffs over and above one's rationed allowance. Here, the potatoes serve as a visual representation of this perceived extravagance, with the caption implying that the hoarder is getting ready to enjoy a luxurious feast while her neighbours go without. Overall, this print offers a sarcastic yet insightful commentary on the changing values and lifestyles of the British people during WW1, highlighting issues of class distinction, waste, and the struggle to adapt to the rigours of war on the home front.

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