PUBlic Professor Series | Dr. Jo-Anne Fiske

Remarkable Husbands and Unusual Fathers. Understanding the Great War a Crucible of Tenderness and Nurture

Dr. Jo-Anne Fiske, Department of Women & Gender Studies

Centennial commemorations of the Great War of 1914 to 1918 are marked by some common narratives of what occurred and what has been learned from this conflict.  Predominate are two social constructions of the citizen soldiers who served Canada:  men who returned suffering “shell shock” through their lifetime and silent veterans who never spoke of their war experiences, particularly their experiences in the trenches.

In this talk, based on my personal reminiscences as a daughter of a Canadian veteran of this war, my conversations with children of veterans of the English, German and Austrian forces, and archival records I explore a different understanding of war experiences and how they may have contributed to veterans’ nurturing family relationships. Learn more about Dr. Fiske's research.

ICYMI: Watch the video

With special thanks to our talk sponsor:

Alger Zadeiks Shapiro