The Influence of World War 2 in Modern Culture

World War II could be considered as one of the more interesting wars from our world history. It is known as the 'people's' war as it affected many different people in different cultures all over the world. In Britain, people's lives were thrown into turmoil.

The major cities such as Plymouth, London, Birmingham and Bristol were direct targets for the German bomber planes during the Blitz. Road signs and lights all over the country were blacked out to make attacks more difficult. People who lived all over the UK, rich or poor, had to cut down on everything they were bringing into their homes, from food to clothes.

The bombings of these major cities severely affected the culture and societies of the people who lived there. Families were torn apart as lots of children were evacuated to the countryside and some families never saw their fathers, husbands, uncles or brothers again. School's were closed, hospitals bombed and communities broken However, through all of this the people of Britain still managed to rebuild their communities and increase their morale. Life went on. The image below is a prime example of this.

Fred Morley, 1940

The culture of Britain during WWII changed dramatically. Upper and lower classes were thrown together; more women went out to work, doing typical 'manly' jobs such as bus driving and farming; mechanic work and plumbing. After the war, when it came to rebuilding London, it grew as a city; modern buildings were built and, ultimately, it became a lot bigger than before.

World War II has influenced many different forms of arts, literature and media in today's culture. Written works such as 'The Book Thief', 'Anne Frank's Diary', 'Atonement' and 'Schindler's List,' have been read by thousands of people, all over the world. Translated into different languages and even turned into films or drama series.  Comedy series were also created from this war such as 'Dad's Army', 'Allo Allo' and making an appearance in 'Blackadder.' As well as media and literature, WWII has had a large influence on the modern video games that are played today. Games such as 'Call of Duty', 'Medal of Honor' and 'Battlestrike'.

I believe that because of World War II, Britain grew as a nation. It became united. It worked together to get over the traumas and devastation of the wars. I feel that all of the literature, games, films etc. that have derived from this war (as well as the First World War) will help us to remember the tragedies that befell us as a country.

Technology and Culture

In today's Western society, technology has become a lot more advanced than it was fifty years ago. In 2010, 'over 9.5m TV sets were bought across the UK - double the number sold in 2002.' Doubtfire, P. (2011) In just ten years, more and more people have been investing in televisions, with video game consoles, smart phones and even electronic books. With technology developing at the rate it is, it's become normal for those living in these advanced countries to spend their time watching TV or playing games, on their own or with partners. Doing this could be considered spending time with people and socialising over the internet but when it comes down to it, they are solitary and independent activities. People aren't spending physical time talking and 'connecting' with their family and friends; they aren't going out there and spending time outside.

If you compare this to cultures within less-developed countries such as Ethiopia, Uganda, Haiti and the Maldives; the people within these cultures spend a lot more time together. There is a larger sense of community and families and friends spend time together, working, playing, cooking and gathering. These people are learning about their parents and their grandparents lives, they are, essentially, broadening their minds with the knowledge they can learn from each other.

Some people from Western cultures may see these people as under privileged however, are they really? They may have less technology but they have more family values and morals than many Western people. Technology lets us play football online against our friends, it lets us shop and bank and chat; whereas in places without this technology, they have to do it by hand. The games they play aren't about rules or winning, it's about taking part and having fun and the actual work they do is hard work. They aren't just coasting by life. They are being a part of it.

In my opinion, although being able to do these things online may be easier, spending time with family and growing as people without the help of the internet or media teaches you new things and could possibly, give you new experiences.

Doubtfire, P. (2011). UK TV Watching Trends. Available: http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/about/media-centre/news/report-reveals-latest-uk-tv-watching-trends-NEWS35/. Last accessed 9th Jan 2013 .

Pirates

When we think of 'pirates', our minds are flooded by images of Captain Jack Sparrow; flamboyantly dressed men stealing away women to woo them; exciting fights and gorgeous boats, sailing on the beautiful, never-ending ocean. We view pirates in a different way to how they were viewed a couple of hundred years ago. In today's popular culture, they are a romantic and exciting notion. In reality, pirates were, and still are incredibly blood-thirsty people who raped, murdered and stole from people. Popular mediums such as films and books depict pirates to be adventurous swashbucklers who sail the seven seas living their lives to the fullest, for example Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean or Dread Pirate Roberts from The Princess Bride, who sails the seas, searching for his true love.

Captain Jack Sparrow - Pirates of the Caribbean

Dread Pirate Roberts - The Princess Bride

Many places around the world have history linked to piracy. Cornwall in general is notorious for it's smuggler tales and pirate legends. Reaching to hotter climates, 17th Century pirates roamed the warmer seas of the Caribbean looking for merchant ships to pillage.

In today's society, there are more that one type of pirate. There are the dangerous but romantic ones from stories long ago; online 'pirates' who download illegally and share files that aren't theirs to share; and there are the 'real life pirates' in Somalia and other countries who roam their local seas, taking people hostage and stealing from cargo boats. These pirates are not the part of the stereotype, they don't dress in baggy breeches or lacy shirts, they dress in normal clothes and are armed with all types of dangerous weapons. They use speedboats and machine guns. The pirates that are around today are incredibly dangerous to society and the economy. 

Somali pirates

I personally don't like to believe that these criminals are pirates. To me, pirates will always be those bearded men who raise skull and cross bones, swaggering across their decks drinking rum; they will be the sneaky smugglers that are Cornish legend colourful barbarians in fictional literature. 

What is culture?

To me, culture is all about people and their surroundings. It's what they grow up in; what they learn; how they live. Culture is always growing and changing, it evolves and shapes itself around many different things such as technology, media, literature and the arts. Although I believe the majority of cultures still have a historical element, they have had to grow, alongside the human race.

There are many things within the 'Cultural Sector', these include theatre, dance, music, arts, literature, events, communities, education, history, film, media and so much more.

Rwenzori Community Culture Group in Uganda, 2007

Many people believe that culture is only applied to different groups of people or countries, for example, Native Americans, Travellers/Romany Gypsies, England, Brazil, Buddhism etc. This may be the case, every country does have a culture, developed throughout history, I also feel that it cannot only be so broad. People have been looking at countries and groups as one whole and thinking of everyone having the same culture, of culture only being linked to how they live. To me, every single person has their own culture, whether it be religion or music, to how they grew up. Culture will mean something different to each person. So, ultimately, everybody's own culture, adds up to be a nation's culture. If less and less people value culture; if people stop sharing and teaching about their cultures, people's minds will remain unbroadened and self concerned. Slowly a country's culture will diminish or simply change for the worst.

"A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people." (Ghandi)

My culture is in my family and friends; the books I read and the "cult" television shows I watch; it's in the history of England; growing up in a spiritual household and the eccentric-ness of London. It's the little town I grew up in and the places I've been.

 

Credited to *Cinnamon (2008)