October 23rd, War Museum

This afternoon we went to the War Museum, which I thought was extremely interesting. I really enjoyed the Cecil Beaton exhibit. I thought a lot of his photos were extremely powerful and that his work on films was interesting coming from my background. I agree with what Emily said in her blog when she talked about how he showed the horrors of war, but was still able to show the optimism in war when he took pictures of the recovery. The secret agent exhibit was also something I enjoyed. I thought it was funny how they compared it to the actual secret service in Britain.  After that we went to Daunt books, which was an amazing bookstore. I really loved just walking around, it wasn't like any bookstore I've ever been in. After that we went to the Union Cafe, which was a great restaurant to end the travel with.
I thought the poems we read were very powerful. I find it amazing how some soldiers liked to romanticize the idea of war, when others liked to write about the horrors of war. I can see both points of view here. I agree that film and other media can romanticize war, and it can actually be a very beautiful idea, but also there are many horrors of war the average person does not see. I think these were all powerful but I especially enjoyed. Does it Matter? by Siegfried Sassoon. I thought this one was powerful because he does a good job of painting a soldier who is beaten up, but the public will treat him as a hero for a limited time. After all of the popularity he is lost and when he fought, did it matter?

DOES it matter?--losing your legs?... For people will always be kind, And you need not show that you mind When the others come in after hunting To gobble their muffins and eggs.