Week 4

British Library – Magna Carta

The Magna Carta is an enormously influential document advocating for individual rights throughout history. People like Martin Luther King, Eleanor Roosevelt and Gandhi have all pointed to this historical document in pursuit of furthering civil liberties. The Magna Carta is now more symbolic of what it represents rather than what it actually says, similar to how Briony views her writing in an ethical or historical nature.

Imperial War Museum – “Micky Mouse” Gas Mask

WWII altered much of life for Londoners in the early 20^th century, including children. In order to keep even a small semblance of childhood in tact, young kids would make funny noises while needing to wear gas masks during an attack that helped them laugh, even when they were scared. Briony was also forced to grow up quickly in wartime through nursing school and the need to remain calm and collected while tending wounded soldiers.   

Imperial War Museum – Jolly Boat

The SS Anglo-Saxon was attacked while at sea, leaving only seven remaining crewmen to escape on a “jolly” boat and drift 2,700 miles across the Atlantic Ocean to the Bahamas, through which only two survived. The crewmen carved these notches as a way to keep time and sanity while at sea, much like Robbie’s tactic of remembering letters from Cecilia on his trek to Dunkirk.

Imperial War Museum – London Underground

Despite massive effects of the war, Londoners were encouraged to continue on with their lives as normal. During the Blitz, many people would be out and about at work or running errands and public places became shelter during bombings as shown here in an underground. Cecilia was a victim of these attacks in the bombing of the Belham Underground where she was killed.

Florence Nightingale Museum – Stain Glass Window

Florence Nightingale was a huge proponent for the advancements in nursing, instituting organization and strict skillsets into the profession. Like Briony, she went against expected societal norms for her life to pursue a career that she believed could service others.

Florence Nightingale Museum – Journal

Florence was a writer as well as a nurse and published multiple books in order to continue the education of nursing students. She felt it was necessary to keep records of what she learned and successful practices for later generations to continue on. Briony also believed in the idea of passing on knowledge and keeping historical record of what actually happened through her writing, as those who were really present would not be able to.