How far do the sources suggest that Florence Nightingale did ‘not help the side’ in the Crimean War (Source 1, lines 2-3). Explain your answer using the evidence of Source 1, 2 and 3 (20 marks)
I believe that Florence Nightingale did help the side in the Crimean War. Her work being based at Scutari hospital aided the cause significantly. As I said, I do believe she assisted the sick men in the Crimean War, however I feel that her influence during this period was over exaggerated. This could be due to a significant amount of evidence on her being from her diary and letters, in which she may have glorified her actions and taken all praise where possible.
Source 1 agrees with the statement, claiming that she ‘opposed the true interests of the medical department’. This source also states that ‘her efforts do not help the sick and, at root, are most damaging’. This shows that she did not care for the cause, and she cared more for having a good image and being idolized than actually help the patients themselves. This source highly suggests that Florence Nightingale did ‘not help the side’, although it is weak evidence however. I say this because this source is from a letter written by Sir John Hall, Head of Medical Services in the Crimea, meaning he would be looking to minimize the praise directed towards her and glorify himself instead.
Source 2 disagrees with the statement; it does this by analyzing the contrast between the hospital pre arrival of FN, and the hospital with Florence Nightingale present. At first, ‘the cold and stony floors’ along with ‘the cheerless corridors’ portray the hospital as a dingy and miserable place. Whereas when ‘a lady with a lamp’ passes by, she is conveyed as an angel, a light in the dark, a new hope. The use of the word ‘dream’ yet again refers to her as an angel. This source suggests that she did help the side in the Crimean War, however it may be unreliable for use as evidence due to the fact that it is from a poem, and...