Birdsong

Faulks’ ‘Birdsong’ is a novel that explores World War 1. Faulks focuses on the central character of Stephen and allows us as readers to learn of his experiences before, during and how things had changed after the war. By adopting this split structure Faulks draws us in emotionally and enables us to see how things changed over time. The novel gives a detailed and graphic description of the war and those it affected.

Faulks begins the novel with an idyllic description of the nature of the Boulevard Du Cange. ‘On the damp grass were chestnut trees, lilac and willows, cultivated to give shade and quietness to their owners’. He creates a peaceful atmosphere with rich, luscious imagery of France before the World War. His words almost describe impressionist paintings of such scenery, such as that of Monet’s, ‘by the banks of water-gardens, they dipped their lines in search of trout or carp’. This tranquil atmosphere foreshadows the corruption that War is soon to have on this beautiful place and thus makes the war seem more catastrophic.

Faulks also uses language of love and reproduction during the beginning of the novel, he uses words such as ‘thrust’ and ‘plunge’ within his writing. His language is erotic and sensuous and demonstrates the beauty of new life and reproduction, which could perhaps be unexpected in a novel about War. In addition, Faulks uses language of love when he describes Stephen watching Isabelle’s every move, ‘Her white hands seemed barely to touch the cutlery when they ate’, shows Stephen is in complete awe of Isabelle and is attracted to her delicacy and innocence.

In contrast Faulks occasionally uses language of war, especially during Azaire’s conversation with his business associates. Faulkes uses the words ‘retrench’ and ‘assault’. Azaire also uses this language when talking about people. ‘those not qualified to use the new machinery, about half the work force, will reclassified as untrained workers and their rate of pay will be adjusted accordingly’. He speaks with only money and profits in mind and dismisses people’s personal situations and feelings, reminding us of the way army generals treat soldiers. This section of the novel demonstrates life and society before the war and Azaire’s emotionless attitude and arrogance prepares us for what is to come in the novel.

As the novel progresses to Part 2 – Stephen’s involvement in the action of the war – Faulks uses graphic language to demonstrate the horrors of this war. ‘his arms grinding in their joints’, this description is almost like a microscopic zooming in of a vivid image, it is a disturbing almost aural description allowing the reader to believe it is real.

In addition, Faulks uses short sentences in some of the most disturbing parts of the novel. ‘He had been married…there was a baby one the way..his head was cut away’. This simple yet graphic language allows Faulks’ writing to lack emotion and in many ways reflects the way soldiers had to adapt to emotionally detaching themselves in difficult times. Faulks’ emotionless language can be compared to that of Remarque’s in ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ Remarque uses similar methods when describing warfare. ‘The man is not dead. He is dying, but he is not dead’, ‘Both arms are missing from the body, as if they have been wrenched out of the sockets.’ Both authors are able to create vivid descriptions that are used to create a physical reaction from the reader.

Both authors are able to convey the atmosphere of war by exploring sound and explain why the noise had such an affect on soldiers post-war. Faulks writes, ‘shock waves through the explosion ran through the trench’ and ‘a shrill, demented sound’. Remarque uses metaphorical language to describe the sounds, ‘In spite of the thunder of the guns you can pick out suspicious noises completely clearly’. Both descriptions have a strong element of power which emphasises the force and the damage that the noise caused. It also adds to the intensity and allows the reader to develop a fear for the soldiers.

In Part 3 of ‘Birdsong’ we learn of the character Elizabeth, Stephen’s Granddaughter. Elizabeth is a fundamental character in the novel as she represents some modern day attitudes towards war. ‘It all seems so boring and depressing, all those guns and battles and things’, for us as readers, it is easy to feel offended by this as Faulks’ episodic structure has allowed us to feel as if we have been on a journey through war and understand the horror and extremities that came with it. However, Elizabeth is yet to know that Stephen is her Grandfather and like many, knows little about the war.

Faulks also uses Elizabeth to show the contrast of attitudes towards women before and after the war and thus how war has changed modern society. Elizabeth is able to work and have a child without being married, unlike Isabelle who was almost ‘sold off’ and trapped in an unhappy marriage. Both Isabelle and Elizabeth are used to compare life options before and after the war. Elizabeth is an example of the accepted modern woman and ultimately the freedom that war brought about.