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

This extract conveys the lack of change in attitudes towards men and sexuality, as it shows how society is not open to new ideas, especially if they completely contradict their traditional views, particularly the concept of homosexuals. Barker illustrates how society would likely react to such news coming out in public, and the consequences which the homosexual men have to face. Sassoon’s reference to Graves’ reaction as “Robert-like way” emphasises the difference between the ‘new’ and ‘old’ views present during this time as Robert himself symbolizes society and their strong and concrete beliefs. Rivers also reveals that “the number of custodial sentences is rising” and that there is a “German black book”, which further emphasises how society at this time felt that being a homosexual was a crime. It was a mistake to have affection for the same gender, regardless of status and class, which also adds on to the idea that various people were not given the freedom to express their personal views.

In addition, the feelings portrayed towards homosexuals are negative, as Sassoon reveals that Graves feels “devastated”, which has connotations of grief and sorrow, as if he has lost someone who was dear to him. In some ways, it can be seen that he has, as the man who he thought was his friend, turned out to be one with sexual feelings towards the same sex- as if his friend has turned out to be a woman. It seems depressing to think that feelings towards a close friend can suddenly be changed due to one piece of information, erasing all the other aspects of their character. Sassoon’s description of the feeling of absolute shock as a “precipice open[ing] at your feet” gives this impression that one piece of knowledge can suddenly make people of this time doubt and question everything they have known- it’s as if they now don’t know anything about that person at all.

Additionally, people thought of homosexual feelings as “disgusting” and “abominable”, which creates this sense of isolation and loneliness for the homosexuals as they seem to be treated as monsters with incurable diseases. It seems as though they are shunned from society for being who they are, despite their class and things they have offered to society. Sassoon also explains how these revealed homosexuals are sent away “to be cured”, which shows how people separate themselves from the homosexuals, sent far away from civilization. Also, the fact that the word ‘cured’ is in italics indicates some sort of sarcasm from Sassoon, as if the idea of being cured from such a thing is pathetic. There’s a sense that being a homosexual isn’t some basic sickness, such as a cold, which one can get over easily. Barker shows how only some people in society have changed their opinions and accepted new ideas, and how those people who have, were those involved in the war.