We must picture Oxford, during World War I, not as the neomedieval paradise it would like to be, but as the military compound it was obliged to become.

About This Quote

University of Oxford is known as the richest and most influential university in England and one of the leading institutions in the world. It’s also known as the oldest university in the English speaking world. However, during World War I, it had to be transformed into a military compound because of the war. The university was no longer an educational center but a place where young men were trained to fight.

This college saw its enrollment drop from 24,000 students to 9,000 students during that time. As a result, Oxford lost its ability to educate and many graduates could not find jobs. This quote captures this transformation: "We must picture Oxford during World War I, not as the Norman paradise it would like to be, but as the military compound it was obliged to become."

Source: The Fellowship: The Literary Lives Of The Inklings: J.r.r. Tolkien, C.s. Lewis, Owen Barfield, Charles Williams

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