Perspectives

Historical Context

“The Destructors” by Graham Greene is set shortly after the end of the Second World War in London, England. 

Even though the United Kingdom won the Second World War, the country, and especially London, was greatly damaged during the war and economic recovery was slow. This is also shown in the story where, even a decade or so after the war, the houses which were damaged by bombs are still not rebuilt. 

During the war, the residents of London took shelter in the Underground during bomb raids to stay safe. In “The Destructor”, Blackie “would have been one year old and fast asleep on the down platform of Wormsley Common Underground Station” when the last bomb of the first blitz fell over what became the Wormsley Common car park. The residents of Wormsley Common also shared the t...