Explore how these extracts represent a lack of change in attitudes toward men and sexuality.

Society is portrayed as black and white during the book. “If I can’t conform in one area of life, then I have to conform in others. “ Sassoon suggests he must follow precedents set within society, to be socially accepted. The word ‘conform’ implies that society wants everyone to follow to same pattern. Men like Sassoon who are different, are made to feel pressured to conform to society. This may be because society cannot deal with change and they don’t know how to react to such things as homosexuality. When Sassoon continues to say “Not just the surface things, everything”, this suggests that Sassoon could hide his homosexuality, as he does but society wants men to all obey and follow the ‘normal’. As depicted through Ross’s trial for homosexuality, we can see society wants to make an example of men who refuse to conform because this can prolong change of the unknown. Once again the reader can clearly see the concept of society being black and white.

“Its time you grew up. Started living in the real world.” This quotation depicts Rivers attitude towards men defying the rules. Rivers seems to be saying this out of desperation to get Sassoon to just conform to society, to avoid trouble like Ross. Rivers is advocating that conformation is the only means of staying protected. The phrase ‘its time you grew up’, contradicts River’s high regard for Sassoon and his opinions. This makes the reader curious whether this statement is said out of frustration or protection. Sassoon’s good friend also supports societies views about obligation to tradition and opposes change. This is evident when Graves speaks about his homosexual friend because he questions his friendship with an old friend due to his new found knowledge. Grave represents a typical man and civilizations repellence against variation. This makes the reader wonder why men had to fit a certain stereotype and where societies disdain was derived from. Though we no longer live within a black and white society, homosexuality and conformation to masculine and feminine stereotypes still remain.