IB English Lit A HL - Ms Basel

I think that Regeneration provides a view of the war not commonly shown through war time ficiton. The common view is shown through the soldiers eyes and their accounts on the frontlines of war, or accounts by great military commanders. Regeneration differs because it shows the effects of war on the common soldier after they have been released from duty and sent to the mental institute of Craiglockhart. This novel also shows the journey of a famous poet, Sassoon, who was against the war, but was fighting in the war. This helps the reader to gain two differing opinions on the war. From this novel we also gain some insight into Sassoon's character and the experiences which influenced his writing. A common theme throughout the novel is the long lasting effects war has on the soldeirs. This can be shown through the behaviour of the patients at Craiglockhart. As these patients are helped thorugh their problems, commonly blamed on shell shock, we can see the impact of Rivers, a psychiatrist at Craiglockhart. Rivers becomes a father like figure to many of his patients, which highlights another reoccuring theme of the impact of family on the soldiers and what relationships with parents are proactive to leading the child in the right direction for the rest of their life. Through strong themes and the views of the "mentally insane" helps the reader to gain a view of the more lasting effects of war.