Another theme is the exploration of the human experience during war. When the time traveler goes back, they get to see and feel what it was like for people living in that era. They witness the fear, the hope, and the resilience of the civilians and soldiers alike. For example, they might see how families coped with the bombings or how soldiers found the courage to fight in the face of great danger. This gives readers a more immersive understanding of the war.
Some common themes in WW1 time travel fanfiction include the alteration of historical events. This could be something like a time traveler trying to save a loved one who died in the war. There's also the theme of cultural clash. A modern - day person suddenly in the WW1 era would face differences in fashion, language, and values. And a prevalent theme is the butterfly effect. A small change made by the time traveler can have huge and unexpected consequences on the course of the war and history in general.
One common theme is the horror of war. For example, in 'All Quiet on the Western Front', soldiers face constant danger, death, and destruction. Another theme is comradeship. Soldiers often form strong bonds with their fellow fighters, as seen in many stories. Loss is also a big theme. They lose friends, their innocence, and sometimes their faith in humanity.
Another theme is falling in love across time. For example, a character from the present might fall in love with someone from a different historical era they travel to. It adds a romantic and often bittersweet element to the story. There are also stories where the character has to adapt to a different time period's culture and values, which can lead to interesting character development and plot twists. And sometimes, the time traveler may bring modern knowledge or technology to an ancient time, creating a contrast and new opportunities within the story.
A common character is the time traveler themselves, usually someone from the modern day. There are often soldiers, both Allied and Axis, like a brave American GI or a determined German officer. Civilians also feature prominently, such as a French Resistance fighter or a British housewife trying to survive the Blitz. And sometimes, there are historical figures like Winston Churchill or Adolf Hitler who the time traveler may interact with.
Soldiers are very common. They could be from either side, like an Allied soldier who goes back in time to give strategic advice, or a German soldier who has a change of heart and tries to alter the course of the war. Another common character is the civilian time traveler. They might be a historian who wants to experience the war first - hand or a regular person who accidentally gets sent back in time.
A common theme is the sense of being an outsider. A time traveler in a different era is clearly an outsider, and this can lead to interesting character development as they struggle to fit in or understand the norms of that time. Another is the theme of knowledge and power. By having knowledge of future or past events, the time traveler may gain a certain power, and stories can explore how they use or abuse this power.
The theme of comradeship is also prevalent. Soldiers form strong bonds with their fellow comrades during the war. For example, in many stories, they rely on each other for survival, share their last rations, and comfort each other in the face of death. Moreover, the disillusionment with war is a key theme. As the war progresses, the characters realize that the so - called 'glory' of war is a myth, and it is just a senseless killing machine that destroys lives and families.
Love and sacrifice are also common. Families supported their soldiers with care packages, letters, and prayers. Some families even sacrificed their own comfort. There were cases where families gave up their extra food or warm clothes to send to the soldiers. Patriotism was another theme. Families were often proud of their members serving in the war, believing they were doing their part for the country, no matter how difficult it was for them.
One interesting WW2 time travel online story is about a modern-day historian who accidentally travels back to the Battle of Dunkirk. He witnesses the chaos and heroism first - hand and uses his knowledge of the future to help a small group of soldiers find a safer evacuation route.
A typical theme in first time travel stories is the exploration of different eras. Characters get to see how society has changed or will change. In 'Outlander', the main character from the 1940s gets to experience 18th - century Scotland, with its different social norms, customs and power structures. Also, the theme of causality is common. Time travel often makes characters question the cause - and - effect relationships in time. What if a small change in the past has a huge impact on the future? This is often explored in such stories.