Women and war: Vera Brittain and Winifred Holtby

Vera Brittain's Testament of Youth (1933) is an autobiographical perspective on World War 1, charting her journey from youthful idealism to first-hand experience of war, nursing wounded soldiers near the Front, finally to her commitment to pacifism and feminism. Her book describes the devastating impact the war had upon her life and her close friendship with fellow writer Winifred Holtby, which sustained her in the aftermath. Holtby's novel South Riding presents a rural community grappling with the enormous changes brought about by the war. She, too, became a pacifist and feminist. This course will examine the life and work of these two remarkable women.

Course details

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Start Date
12 Jul 2026
Duration
5 Sessions over one week
End Date
18 Jul 2026
Application Deadline
28 Jun 2026
Location
International Summer Programme
Code
W15Am23

Tutors

Dr Claire Nicholson

Dr Claire Nicholson

Panel Tutor for University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education

Aims

This course aims to:

  • introduce the two primary texts and to situate them in their social and 
    historical context
  • develop skills of close literary analysis
  • encourage discussion of issues encountered in the course

Course content

When Testament of Youth, Vera Brittain’s memoir of the First World War, was published in 1933 it was an instant bestseller. Today, over nine decades after it first appeared, it remains a highly influential text, because, according to Brittain’s literary executor, Mark Bostridge, “it moves and it educates.” It expresses the realities of warfare as she witnessed them in her role as a VAD nurse, together with her personal tragedy of losing a fiancé, a brother and two close friends in the conflict. 

Our aim in this course is to study Britain’s feminist and pacifist perspectives on the First World War and to consider them alongside South Riding (1936), the best-known novel of her close friend and collaborator, Winifred Holtby. Together, these two texts enable us to consider how women were affected by the war and its aftermath, as society faced sweeping changes in the inter-war years.

To get the most from this course you should read the two primary texts and expect to re-read them while you are here. In class we will undertake some ‘close reading’ which helps to understand the richness and complexity of the work as we consider it in its historical context. We will explore how feminist and pacifist principles inform Brittain’s and Holtby’s work and we will discuss what relevance the texts have for women today. Before you come you may find it helpful to do some additional reading (as listed below under ‘Supplementary Reading’), particularly the biographies by Marion Shaw and Paul Berry & Mark Bostridge, though this is not a set requirement. Please bring with you a copy of the two texts, for use in class. 

What to expect on this course

The sessions on this course will begin with a presentation by the tutor, followed by some close textual analysis and discussion in pairs/small groups before re-convening for a plenary session to share points raised. My style of teaching is informal and inclusive, using a variety of sources to stimulate discussion. I look forward to hearing a wide range of opinions!

Course sessions

  1. Introduction. Biographical background to Vera Brittain and Winifred Holtby.
  2. Testament of Youth: a feminist perspective on the First World war.
  3. Pacifism: Vera Brittain’s and Winifred Holtby’s pacifist views.
  4. South Riding: Winifred Holtby and post-WW1 England. How did the aftermath of war affect communities?
  5. Conclusions: Brittain & Holtby; friends, journalists, feminists, pacifists. What is their legacy?

Learning outcomes

As a result of the course, you will gain a greater understanding of the subject and you should be able to:

  • show a sound knowledge of the primary texts and an understanding of their social and historical context, with particular reference to feminism and pacifism
  • develop skills of close literary analysis of texts
  • engage in and contribute to discussion of issues encountered on the course

Required reading

Brittain, Vera, Testament of Youth (London: Virago Press, 2018) ISBN 9780349010274

Holtby, Winifred, South Riding (London: Virago Press, 2010) ISBN 9780860689690