Private Grief and Public Propaganda: An Analysis of the Authorship of
Rudyard Kipling during the First World War
Rosie Bick
Abstract
This article explores the issue of propaganda and authorship during the First World War. To a great extent the contribution of Rudyard Kipling to the production of propaganda mirrored that of the publishing industry. His desire to play a role in the war effort through his work ran parallel with that of many leading authors, who were in high demand at the first official government propaganda organisation, Wellington House. However as the war progressed, Kipling’s work was to alter in tone considerably after October 1915, when he and his family were informed that his beloved only son John was missing believed dead, following the Battle of Loos the previous month. Kipling would continue to manufacture propaganda, but the underlying tone of his work and the themes he explored were to change. Kipling’s key works which best demonstrate this will be explored. By 1918, as the importance of Wellington House dwindled and the media-men headed by Lord Beaverbrook controlled the use of propaganda, Kipling was of the opinion that the role of literature as a means of propagating had passed. His attentions, like those of many other individuals in the publishing industry, had turned to peace and commemoration.
Rudyard Kipling during the First World War
Rosie Bick
Abstract
This article explores the issue of propaganda and authorship during the First World War. To a great extent the contribution of Rudyard Kipling to the production of propaganda mirrored that of the publishing industry. His desire to play a role in the war effort through his work ran parallel with that of many leading authors, who were in high demand at the first official government propaganda organisation, Wellington House. However as the war progressed, Kipling’s work was to alter in tone considerably after October 1915, when he and his family were informed that his beloved only son John was missing believed dead, following the Battle of Loos the previous month. Kipling would continue to manufacture propaganda, but the underlying tone of his work and the themes he explored were to change. Kipling’s key works which best demonstrate this will be explored. By 1918, as the importance of Wellington House dwindled and the media-men headed by Lord Beaverbrook controlled the use of propaganda, Kipling was of the opinion that the role of literature as a means of propagating had passed. His attentions, like those of many other individuals in the publishing industry, had turned to peace and commemoration.
