Stephen feels depressed and cynical due to his experiences and has post-traumatic stress as a result of warfare. In the text, he becomes representative of soldiers who experienced psychological stress and 'shell shock' after World War I. What does Birdsong tell us about the aftermath of war?įirstly, we see the psychological impact of war on soldiers through the character of Stephen. However, reading the journal helps her to better understand her own experience, as Stephen also experienced forbidden love during his lifetime. In 1978, Elizabeth is going through a tough time herself, as she is in a relationship with a man who is married. The journal was originally hidden, which is s symbol of the experiences and feelings that he did not fully reveal while he was alive. The journals are incredibly personal, containing information about Stephen's experience of warfare, the psychological impact it had on him, and his personal feelings for Isabelle. Reading Stephen's journals inspires Elizabeth to research further into the experience of World War I, as she begins to interview veterans who used to know her grandfather. The fact that the journal is coded represents the fact that history must be deciphered in order to be properly understood in modern times. At first, she struggles to read the journal as it is written in code, but when she is able to read it she understands his story. Stephen's granddaughter Elizabeth finds his journal in 1978, decades after it was written. What is the significance of Stephen's journal? We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own. These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community.

Birdsong ww1