Blind eye Quote by Vera Brittain
““I wish those people who write so glibly about this being a holy War, and the orators who talk so much about going on no matter how long the War lasts and what it may mean, could see a case--to say nothing of 10 cases--of mustard gas in its early stages--could see the poor things burnt and blistered all over with great mustard-coloured suppurating blisters, with blind eyes--sometimes temporally, sometimes permanently--all sticky and stuck together, and always fighting for breath, with voices a mere whisper, saying that their throats are closing and they know they will choke.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain, 1933
The horror of chemical warfare is described in vivid detail, emphasizing suffering and the desperate fight for breath.
In simple terms: War gas causes terrible pain and suffocation.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the true cost of war.
Themes
war
human suffering
chemical weapons
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
historical
anti‑war
When to use this quote
- history lessons
- peace activism
- veteran support
Key Concepts
trench warfare
psychological trauma
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this description change your view of war?
- What can we do to prevent such weapons?
A Different Perspective
The quote focuses on personal suffering, not strategic outcomes.
![“[I] wondered if he was looking up at that same moon, far away, and thinking of me as I was thinking of him.” quote by Vera Brittain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b3f/vera-brittain-12183_looking_i-wondered-if-he-was-looking-up-at-that_455225.jpg)
