IB English Lit A HL - Ms Basel

Explore how these extracts represent a lack of change in attitudes toward men and sexuality. You should come up with a range of points for each, which are supported by close reference to the text.

Despite the impact of war on society, one thing that has remained constant is the general public's opinion on men and sexuality. Homosexuality was a foreign concept that was not accepted by the public because the idea was so unnatural. People were conservative and only followed traditional views unless their superiors told them otherwise. This extract further emphasizes the lack of change in society.

Robert Graves’ character had a “platonic” friendship with an old classmate. The definition of “platonic,” means to have an intimate and affectionate relationship, without sexual desire. However Graves discovers his old classmate to have feelings for men and is shocked by the outcome. Barker exploits Robert Graves’ character to symbolize ones typical reaction in society towards homosexuality. Furthermore his character has “no such disgusting feelings himself.” This phrase sounds as if he has been accused of being homosexual himself. Society was strictly homophobic and Graves was afraid of being associated to a gay man as they might automatically assume he is gay as well.

The old classmate of Graves was sent to a psychiatrist “to be cured.” Sexuality is not a simple disease that can be “cured” with medication. A psychiatrist cannot alter his feelings for him. He is being sent to a psychiatrist because they are afraid homosexuality is contagious. Therefore he should be contained and cured before this “abominable” disease spreads like wildfire. If the disease could not be “cured,” homosexuals suffered severe consequences.

However during the war there was “enormous emphasis on love between men…and everybody approved.” War had a different impact on men; these men were close to their death sentence and the last few memories they would share would be with their other men. Death has a way of bringing men closer together because their future is uncertain. This could avert men from following traditional values. There is only a fine line between loving a brother or being in love; one who is oblivious might not be able to recognize these emotions. On the other hand everyone also approved of this “love” because it was strictly seen as a brotherhood of men; but there would always be “this little niggle of anxiety.” This “anxiety” kept men in tact from crossing the line of comradeship into a romantic relationship.