Secrets

World War I (1914-1918) left lasting marks on those who served in the conflict, but also on society as a whole; the unprecedented scope and devastation of the conflict not only continued the erosion of religious belief that had begun with 19th-century scientific breakthroughs, but also undercut any developing faith in science itself, which had been wielded to deadly effect in the deployment of machine guns and mustard gas. The postwar economic boom and many governments’ desire to sweep the war under the rug exacerbated matters, creating a sense of disillusionment among those who had suffered and lost.

In America, a group of writers active from roughly 1920-1936 considered this distinct cultural ethos in their literary works, often taking particular aim at the materialism of the “Roaring Twenties.” These writers, such as Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald, also found comfort with expatriates and citizens in Paris, where the term “Lost Generation” was coined. The phrase now commonly describes those who channeled their angst into art, as well as the broader generation that came of age during and immediately after the war.

In “Secrets,” one can see how this time period affected the soldier who fell in love with Great Aunt Mary; he expresses rage at the war’s senseless violence and evidently feels guilty about his part in it, as he says he wants to make some sort of restitution. Similarly, the trauma that shaped Great Aunt Mary’s coming of age is reflected in her careful preservation of John’s postcards and letters, as well as in her habitual emotional reserve. The characters’ experiences in WWI are therefore central to the theme of Secrets, Trauma, and the Limits of Emotional Intimacy.