Goodbye to all That by Robert Graves

Name: Goodbye to all That
Author: Robert Graves

The memoir recounts the author's experiences during World War I and his disillusionment with the war effort. It begins with his time at Oxford University before the war, where he was part of a group of intellectuals who were idealistic about their roles in society. The narrative then shifts to the trenches, where the author describes the harsh conditions and the psychological toll on soldiers. He also critiques the military's handling of the war and the societal expectations placed upon soldiers. Upon returning from the war, the author struggles with his own identity and sense of purpose, feeling disconnected from the world around him. The memoir concludes with a reflection on the futility of war and the need for individuals to find their own path in life.

By Robert Graves · First published 1929 · Genre: Autobiography, War Memoir, Historical · 33 chapters · 135,824 words

First lines

As a proof of my readiness to accept autobiographical convention, let me at once record my two earliest memories. The first is being loyally held up at a window to watch a procession of decorated carriages and waggons for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897 (this was at Wimbledon, where I had been born on July 24th, 1895). The second is gazing upwards with a sort of despondent terror at a cupboard in the nursery, which stood accidentally open, filled to the ceiling with octavo volumes of Shakespeare. My father had organized a Shakespeare reading circle. I did not know until long afterwards that this was the Shakespeare cupboard but, apparently, I already had a strong instinct against drawing-room activities.

What this Textopian page supports

Goodbye to all That is listed on Textopian as a novel by Robert Graves, dated 1929 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Robert Graves
Date: 1929 CE
Language: English
Genres: Autobiography, War Memoir, Historical, Literary, Non-fiction
Length: 135,824 words
Structure: 33 chapters, 1,425 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

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Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

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How does this novel by Robert Graves fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Autobiography first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Autobiography — The book is a personal account of the author's life, focusing on his experiences during World War I.
War Memoir — It provides a detailed narrative of the author's experiences and observations as a soldier in World War I.
Historical — The book offers insights into the historical context of World War I and the early 20th century.
Literary — The writing style and narrative structure reflect a literary approach to recounting personal and historical events.