Final answer:
Nursing's public images during the Great War were formed by recognition of their significant contributions and sacrifices, which not only included their work at field hospitals but also their societal impact, such as influencing women's suffrage in Canada. These images reconcile the real bravery and service of nurses with the sometimes propagandistic portrayals of heroism, elevating their role in the public consciousness.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nursing's heroic and noble public images during the Great War have been characterized by a mix of adulation and recognition of their pivotal role. In publications like Those Splendid Girls: The Heroic Service of Prince Edward Island Nurses in the Great War by Katherine Dewar, the narrative explores not only the expanded opportunities for women in medicine but also the profound impact their sacrifices had, including their work at field hospitals in France and across war-torn Europe. It was in the crucible of war that female doctors and nurses gained wide praise, with nurses serving bravely on the front lines and often succumbing to injuries or illnesses contracted from their selfless service.
Indeed, their courage highlighted the contradictions and complexities of propaganda, such as with the propagandistic portrayals that attempted to merge opposing virtues, much like during the era of Napoleon. Nurses' noble deeds became part of the wartime narrative that pushed societal changes, including women's suffrage in Canada. This noble imagery of nurses and their heroism contributed significantly to altering public perception, eventually leading to the recognition of their full citizenship through the right to vote, which was won in part due to their remarkable wartime contributions.
Through these stories, the heroism attributed to nursing and the medical profession at large during critical times echoes the broader understanding of what constitutes a hero—not just someone who is famous or admired but anyone who selflessly helps others, as demonstrated by healthcare professionals and others with essential roles in society.