AQA A-Level English Literature A key terms
Option 2A WW1 and its aftermath Key Terms
Study Option 2A WW1 and its aftermath with curriculum-aligned Key Terms resources, practice links, and exam-focused support.
At a glance
key terms
Resource type
Topic
Option 2A WW1 and its aftermath
Key terms
Combatant
A person engaged in warfare, especially a soldier.
Non-combatant
A person not engaged in fighting during a conflict, often referring to civilians.
Propaganda
Information, especially biased or misleading, used to promote a political cause or point of view.
Heroism
The qualities or attributes of a hero, often romanticized in literature but critiqued in the context of war.
Futility
The pointlessness or uselessness of war, often highlighted in literature to critique its glorification.
Disillusionment
A feeling of disappointment resulting from the discovery that something is not as good as one believed it to be, prevalent in post-war literature.
Trauma
A deeply distressing or disturbing experience, often explored in literature as a consequence of war.
Memory
The process of recalling past experiences, which plays a crucial role in how literature addresses the aftermath of WWI.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
A mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, often explored in literature about war.
Modernism
A literary movement characterized by a break from traditional forms and an exploration of new narrative techniques, often reflecting the disillusionment of the post-war era.
Futility
The pointlessness or uselessness of an action, often highlighted in discussions of war.
Collective Memory
The shared pool of knowledge and information in the memories of two or more members of a group, particularly regarding historical events.
Modernism
A literary movement characterized by a break from traditional forms and an exploration of new narrative techniques and themes, often reflecting the disillusionment of the post-war era.
Stream of Consciousness
A narrative mode that attempts to capture the flow of thoughts and feelings as they occur, often used to provide insight into a character's inner experiences.
Modernism
A literary movement characterized by a break from traditional forms and an exploration of new narrative techniques.
War Poetry
A genre that captures the experiences and emotions of soldiers during and after war, often highlighting its brutality.
Futility
The concept that war is pointless and leads to unnecessary suffering, a common theme in WW1 literature.
Trauma
The psychological impact of war on individuals, often explored in literature to depict the lasting effects of conflict.
Futility
The sense that efforts in war are pointless and lead to suffering.
Patriotism
Love for one's country, often used to justify participation in war.
War Poetry
Poetry that reflects on the experiences and consequences of war, often highlighting themes of trauma, loss, and heroism.
Imagery
Language that evokes sensory experience, crucial for conveying the emotional landscape of war in poetry.
Imagery
Descriptive language that appeals to the senses and creates vivid pictures in the reader's mind.
Theme
The central idea or message conveyed in a literary work.
Modernism
A literary movement characterized by a break from traditional forms and an exploration of new narrative techniques.
Trauma
Psychological damage resulting from distressing experiences, often explored in post-war literature.
Imagery
Descriptive language that appeals to the senses and creates vivid pictures in the reader's mind.
Camaraderie
A spirit of friendship and community among soldiers, often highlighted as a crucial element of survival in wartime.
Modernism
A literary movement characterized by a break from traditional forms and an exploration of new narrative techniques.
Postmodernism
A late 20th-century reaction against modernism, often marked by a skeptical, self-aware approach to literature.
Related topics
Study nearby topics next
Revision hubs
