Alison Worrall - Opinion of Anzac Day and the war

Summary

The speaker expresses a deep-seated concern about the celebration of defeats instead of victories, particularly in the context of war. They lament the loss of life, especially the young, and the ongoing cycle of conflict. The speaker emphasizes the importance of remembering the sacrifices made during World War II and criticizes humanity's failure to learn from past mistakes, highlighting the distress caused by the perpetuation of violence and the waste of young lives.

Takeaways

• 🏳️‍🌈 The speaker expresses a strong sentiment against celebrating defeats, advocating for the recognition of victories instead.
• 🌍 The speaker criticizes the notion of being the only country celebrating a loss, suggesting it's a unique perspective.
• 🏜️ A reference to a desert implies a context possibly related to a war or conflict in a desert region, possibly referring to a historical event.
• 🗺️ The mention of 'Athenian' and 'own land' could suggest a discussion about territorial disputes or the protection of national sovereignty.
• 🇫🇷🇬🇧 The acknowledgment of French and English casualties indicates a shared experience of loss among different nations.
• 🕊️ The speaker emphasizes the importance of remembering the Second World War and the perilous situation that was overcome.
• 💔 There is a sense of distress and sadness over the loss of life, particularly the 'wasted lovely young lives'.
• 👴 The speaker laments the expenditure of the oldest men and the ongoing cycle of violence and killing.
• 🔪 The speaker views the development of better ways to kill as a failure of humanity, expressing a deep sense of disappointment.
• 📅 The daily contemplation of these events by the speaker shows a constant remembrance and reflection on the past.
• 🚫 The speaker rejects the idea of it being a 'holy thing', indicating a personal disagreement with the celebration of such events.

Q & A

What is the speaker's opinion on celebrating defeats?

The speaker believes that celebrating defeats is not appropriate, as it should be victories that are celebrated instead.

Why does the speaker feel that the country should not have been in the desert?

The speaker implies that the country's involvement in the desert was misguided and that it should not have been there in the first place, suggesting a disapproval of the war or conflict.

What does the speaker mean by 'the textured Athenian'?

The phrase 'the textured Athenian' is likely a metaphorical reference to a complex or sophisticated individual or society, possibly alluding to the speaker's own country or people.

Why does the speaker mention the death of French and English soldiers?

The speaker is highlighting that the loss of life in the conflict was not limited to their own country, but also included soldiers from France and England, emphasizing the shared tragedy.

What historical event is the speaker referring to when mentioning the Second World War?

The speaker is referring to the significant global conflict known as World War II, where many countries were greatly endangered and ultimately saved.

Why does the speaker feel that the focus should be on the Second World War instead?

The speaker believes that the Second World War is a more important event to remember and celebrate because it represents a time when the world was in grave danger but was ultimately saved.

What does the speaker mean by 'same day goes on and on'?

This phrase could be interpreted as the speaker expressing a sense of monotony or repetitiveness in the way people commemorate events, possibly suggesting a lack of progress or change.

What does the speaker find 'scandalous' about the situation?

The speaker finds it scandalous that young lives are wasted in wars and conflicts, and that society seems to have forgotten the true cost of such actions.

What does the speaker suggest when they say 'we failed as a species'?

The speaker is suggesting a deep disappointment in humanity's inability to resolve conflicts without resorting to violence and the loss of life, indicating a failure to progress beyond such destructive behaviors.

Why does the speaker express 'great distress'?

The speaker is deeply troubled by the ongoing cycle of violence and the loss of life in wars, which they see as a failure to learn from past mistakes and to find better ways to resolve differences.

What is the speaker's final message regarding the memory of those who died in conflicts?

The speaker urges that the memory of those who lost their lives in conflicts should never be forgotten, emphasizing the importance of remembering the human cost of war.