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

In this extract we have a reference to homosexuality. Which is quite taboo in those Edwardian times to a point where being homosexual and committing homosexual acts was against British law; as Sassoon tells us about a friend of Robert's who "got arrested for soliciting".

We can see that even during war, sexuality is still the same and what is forbidden has stayed forbidden. We have been discussing whether even get emasculated during the war as they develop such tight bonds with their brothers in arms; maybe authorities were even stricter on homosexual tendencies than before the war? Which could be the reason for the "German Black Book" claiming to contain names of all homosexuals. The male image was still very much in place and some had to closet their sexuality to stay unseen by the authorities.

We can see examples of how homosexuals are referred to as "abominable thing" or has having "disgusting feelings" as if they were mentally sick in some ways because it is said so casually. Robert's friend, we learn, has been sent to a psychiatrist instead of prison probably because of his background and family status. However being sent to a psychiatrist would be as if he were "to be cured" as Sassoon puts it. What I believe happened was that this person was not able to control his urges any longer and simply publicly came out, he has been sent to this psychiatrist for re-education and maybe to be told what he should do for the sake of his family's name and reputation. Like nowadays rehabilitation centers for celebrities.

Sassoon talks about Robert's reaction to this news and here we see the word "devastated". Which is usually used when someone has experienced a loss. It is possible that Robert sees it that way, as if a friend of his coming out to the public meant that Robert had just lost a friend, as if this friend suddenly was dead to him. We may think that in times of war one would keep hold of any friends one had, but still these sexual barriers were very strong and Robert is an example of an offspring of this education.