Cheers and Tears by Nella Last- Notes
In September 1939 Nella Last began a diary that was to continue for nearly 30 years. She was a volunteer with the Mass Observation Archive, which was set up in 1937 by Charles Madge and Tom Harrison.
They wanted to record the views of ordinary British people and recruited volunteers to observe British life, and diarists to record a day-to-day account of their lives. These archives now give a unique insight into the lives of British civilians who found themselves going through a period when their country was at war.
In these extracts, Nella writes of moments in her family life during the war. She reveals her feelings towards her husband, her sons, her past life and her anger at the limitations that society imposed on women at this time.
Tuesday, 21 August
In the initial part of her writing, Nella Last comments about the lingering fear of war in Japan and China. Then she talks of the little household chores which are dear to her. She tells that clinging close to these things can be foolish in the long run. But for her, these little things seemed real in a world of shadows and doubts. The post-war feelings stretched her mind to such an extent that it made her mind tired. Her husband Arthur also shared the same feelings. She decides to take one day at a time and do her best. Sometimes she feels dead tired but her mind rebukes her to do the unfinished work. She also says that the stars make her feel trivial and unimportant because they are stable in their work.
Wednesday, 22 August
Nella Last talks about the blackouts that will be no more that winter. It was there during the time of war. She then mentions her son Cliff who had joined the army and when he returned from war, he was entirely a changed man being apprehensive about life and living it as a constant strain. He was a charming headstrong boy who had gone through the vagaries of war. She then thinks of the soldiers who returned from war disabled and injured and she was thankful that her son returned unharmed. She also thinks of the ordinary people who crave simple luxuries of life and pray for lasting peace to achieve all their simple dreams. She tells that she is still dissatisfied with the scenario even after the war. She talks of the article written by an American armaments man who urged America to go underground. She also recalls an article by Naylor the astrologist who predicted underground shelters, factories and buildings which are deep down and air-conditioned. It makes her feel terrible because she was a lover of fresh winds and air.
The author tells us about the constant shadow of fear that the nations are now living with. With easily made and handled weapons every nation lives with constant fear. Only by a change of thought and heart can civilization be saved. She then comments that we shouldn’t place our trust in Princes or any sons of man. She feels that the world of ours has blundered into wickedness and unrest. It has become a dark planet like Uranus and some evil force has affected it. It is full of bitter hatred, chaos, broken faith and lost ideals. She still feels sadness and grief even after the war has ended.
Wednesday, 29 August
Nella Last in this letter talks about the war that has ended but still she waits for the arrival of the Brave New World. People are still apprehensive about their livelihood. Women have not settled down after the war. Little children have learnt to live without the support of their parents. Returned soldiers are finding it hard to settle down after living apart for a long time. After the slump caused by the war, a lot of people in Barrow who had secure jobs in Vikers got sacked. Women were apprehensive about their husbands losing jobs. The stocks were empty. They could withstand the onslaught somehow due to Sir Charles Craven’s efforts. But he is no more and the troubles have returned. The prices have gone high and people don't have enough money to spend on shops.
Nella thinks about Granny’s attitude when things go wrong for her. She had a funny little way of rising to her toes and saying that they must do their best and pass on. At times Nella feels that this simple creed of Granny could work wonders for her. But she feels like a grain of sand on the seashore unable to do anything. She feels that she has limitations and cant do anything if she loses her job as well. She strives to move forward however hard things are.
