Learned by Heart

Finland emerged from WWII in a schizophrenic state. The nation had survived two wars against the Soviet Union with her independence in tact, but had officially come out on the losing side. It was hard to talk about the war in the homes. Fathers were back from the front, but they found it difficult to adjust to everyday life. The heroism and camaraderie of the battlefield lived on in their memories, the horrors of war haunted their dreams. Mothers, the heroines of the household, took control and began organizing the lives of their families.