Sub Rosa

Just trying to lose 250 words - this time, they won't even allow a 10% margin.  If I can get it done by tonight, it means that I will have a free day tomorrow.  Unfortunately, Hubby has nicked my car, as his is unwell at the moment.  Curses!

21:10
I have managed to shed 130 words, but can only really shave a max of a further 22 words off, bringing it down to the 10% margin.  Any less and there won't be much of an essay left! I have emailed her re the 10% either way (according to some, she wasn't keen on the idea), but I will leave this a day or so before having another look.  No more for now.

Truthfully, I am losing interest a bit.  I chose this subject over Jane Austen, because I am not a fan of that period.  Plus, I am interested in the dynamics of war and the strategies behind them.  Just...well... a bit fed up. Another late start and another few hours chipping away :-/

18:18
1,187.  Finished the first draft, now need to leaf through some web pages, a couple of books and consider an overhaul.  But I am done for now.

I have been busy on the poetry, trying to convey the similarities of the poems (Owen and Borden) and there are some amazing similarities.  Namely the ill health, exhaustion and bewilderment that contribute to the casualties of war.  When you think how the Somme is described in slick fetid terms, is it any wonder that the ground eventually swallows people, drowning some of the battle-exhausted men?

As I mentioned last week, I was asked to watch All Quiet on the Western Front, but reading some of the book in class has made me buy it, as it is beautifully written and quite likely I will write an essay on it.  I hear that Sebastian Faulks' Birdsong is a good read as well and used to be studied in tandem with the other book, although not on the syllabus this year.  Anyway, finished the day on 656 - not a lot, but a LOT of close reading and some 'quality' writing :-)