Since You Went Away
Posted on March 26th, 2008 in Uncategorized
Although they call the War in Iraq the “Internet War,” communication between the soldiers and family remains the same. Lindsey talks about how she rarely talks to her husband. She, like the wives and girlfriends in Since You Went Away, she has a support group of other military wives. A difference nowadays is that she’ll wait up for his phone call. Military families back during WWII didn’t have that option. I don’t know if that makes it easier on the family or harder. During WWII you could watch for the mailman and go to the movie theaters for news updates but it wasn’t as much of a waiting game. Always being ready and able to talk on the phone or do a video chat online. In theory you’d get more instant updates in present time but it seems like you’re life would have to be scheduled around it.
After the discussion in class about handwriting letters, I decided that I was going to write a letter to my oldest brother, Aaron, who lives in Santa Barbara, California. I got about a page done and then my roommate interrupted me and I haven’t found a moment to pick it up and again and continue. It shows that it does take a lot more effort and time to sit down and hanwrite a letter but I don’t think that’s everything.
I guess I tend to have opposing views to the class but personally, I would enjoy a video or a recording of someone saying, “I love you,” instead of trying to make those words out of their chicken scratch handwriting. I think everyone can agree that hearing someone’s laugh instead of reading “haha” or “LOL” would be more satisfying.
April 6th, 2008 4:08 pm
You make a very valid point in your last paragraph, “I would enjoy a video or a recording of someone saying, “I love you,” instead of trying to make those words out of their chicken scratch handwriting. I think everyone can agree that hearing someone’s laugh instead of reading “haha” or “LOL” would be more satisfying.” While I agreed with the class that a personalized letter would have more meaning to me then a video however, you make an excellent point that hearing someone’s laugh is much more satisfying then reading the words “haha” or “LOL.” After reading this post you have completely changed my point of view on this subject while there is nothing wrong with a personalized letter hearing there actual voice would have a greater impact on me.
April 16th, 2008 5:58 am
I agree with how you said the video recording would be better. I do not agree with the hand written letter. I think seeing that person and hearing that person speak is so much better than a letter. A letter would be fine, but if a video would be much better.
April 16th, 2008 11:10 am
You make an excellent point about is our current form of communication a good form. While the information is faster and things seem more efficient, is it worth it? I agree with you about that added worry of not receiving that email you may normally receive or the promised phone call that may not happen because the unit was shipped off somewhere, but the wife, husband or family member is left home wondering “what if”. I have done the same thing with the letter writing. I also started it and have never got back to it. I just called to ask a quick question or see whats up, I was never able to gain new momentum and finish the letter. Are we (people of this war and life for that matter) aware of what we are missing by losing letter writing?