Testament of Youth

 Word Count: 268 words

    Vera Brittain grew up in the upper-middle class, which already makes her story unique from the one's we have read before. Like the others, her father does not believe she needs to go to college, apart from her views and wanting to gain an education. Throughout her life she experiences World War I, losing loved ones as she is in the front line as a nurse. She had to leave her life behind and step up to help those in need. Her schooling was put on hold and she had no say in this. This would shake my world and have me questioning the path of my life. Losing her brother was traumatic for her, and she didn't feel able to express her feelings openly. She would do this behind closed doors showing her true devastation and the inability to come to terms with it. She says, "Carefully closing the door, I turned on the light and looked at the pale, pictured face, so dignified, so steadfast, so tragically mature"(81). Trying to act strong in the face of adversity is near impossible, especially when you don't want to come off exactly as people view women- emotional, dramatic, etc. After the war she is interested in exploring women's rights which is amazing considering she is turning her losses and heartbreak into fuel for hard work and success. Speaking to the League of Nations was an impressive thing for her to accomplish, not letting her loss take over. She is an amazing person to look up to, but women should not be afraid of their emotions and letting them show!