Definition
Sherston's Progress is a semi‑autobiographical novel by English poet and novelist Siegfried Sassoon, first published in 1925. It constitutes the second volume of Sassoon’s “Sherston” trilogy, following Memoirs of an Infantry Officer (1917) and preceding Sherston’s Progress (1930).
Overview
The novel continues the story of George Sherston, a fictionalised alter‑ego of Sassoon, chronicling his post‑World War I experiences. After returning from the Western Front, Sherton grapples with physical injury, psychological trauma, and the challenges of reintegrating into civilian life. The narrative explores his attempts to find purpose through work, relationships, and a lingering sense of disillusionment with the post‑war British society.
The work was released in the United Kingdom by the publishing house Victor Gollancz Ltd and received contemporary attention for its candid depiction of a veteran’s struggle, contributing to early literary discussions of what would later be termed “shell shock” (now recognised as post‑traumatic stress disorder).
Etymology/Origin
The title “Sherston’s Progress” echoes the tradition of “progress” literature, such as Pilgrim’s Progress (John Bunyan, 1678), implying a journey—here, a psychological and social journey—of the protagonist. “Sherston” is a pseudonym derived from Sassoon’s own middle name, “George,” and serves to provide a thinly veiled autobiographical veil.
Characteristics
- Narrative Style: Written in the first person, the novel blends prose with occasional poetic interludes, maintaining Sassoon’s characteristic incisive and ironic tone.
- Themes:
- War and Its Aftermath: The lingering impact of combat on personal identity and mental health.
- Class and Social Change: Sherston’s encounters with the shifting British class system in the 1920s.
- Illness and Rehabilitation: Depictions of physical disability (Sherston’s damaged leg) and contemporary medical treatment.
- Search for Meaning: The protagonist’s attempts to find purpose through writing, farming, and relationships.
- Structure: The novel is divided into several loosely chronological chapters, each focusing on distinct episodes such as Sherston’s convalescence, his employment attempts, and his involvement with a pacifist group.
- Literary Significance: Considered an early and influential work in the body‑politic of war literature, it contributes to the understanding of interwar literary responses to the Great War and to the development of the “autobiographical novel” genre.
Related Topics
- Siegfried Sassoon – author and poet, noted for his war poetry and anti‑war activism.
- Sherston Trilogy – the three‑book series consisting of Memoirs of an Infantry Officer, Sherston’s Progress, and Sherston’s Progress (also known as Sherston's Progress or The Fox‑Keeper).
- World War I literature – body of works dealing with the experiences and consequences of the First World War.
- Post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – modern clinical term for war‑related psychological trauma, historically referred to as “shell shock.”
- Interwar British society – the social, economic, and cultural climate of Britain between 1918 and 1939.
Sherston's Progress remains a notable example of early twentieth‑century literature that bridges personal memoir and fictional narrative, offering insight into the psychological scars of the First World War and the broader cultural shifts of the interwar period.