Walter Blythe stands as the moral conscience of Rilla of Ingleside. In this episode, Dr. Corey McEleney joins us to examine Walter’s transformation from a conflict-averse college student into a celebrated war hero, and how his empathetic reflections on war allowed L.M. Montgomery to to wrestle with her own doubts. We also turn to WWI battlefield poetry, tracing its evolution from  patriotic fervor to some of the most searing critiques of the war.

The poems mentioned or discussed by Corey McEleney are here:

In Flanders Fields by John McCrae

The Poet As Hero by Siegfried Sassoon

Glory of Women by Siegfried Sassoon

They by Siegfried Sassoon

The General by Siegfried Sassoon

Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen

You can find more about Corey McEleney at Fordham University.

Inspired by:

Corey is inspired by the novel Regeneration by Pat Barker for a fictionalized account of the WWI poet/soldier Siegried Sassoon.

Kelly is inspired by the movie 1917 directed by Sam Mendes for a realistic portrayal of WWI inspired by Sam Mendes’ own grandfather.

Ragon is inspired by the novel The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow for a fantastical time travel love story that’s also a reflection on war, heroism and propaganda.

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