How is the idea of patriarchs (and patriarchy) presented in Regeneration?

In Regeneration, there is an idea that the class in which a person is in plays a role in how a person is classified as a patriarch, and part of the patriarchy. Such characters would be Rivers and Sassoon, who both are part of a higher class and are patriarchal figures. Sassoon led a frivolous life before the war began, and it can be assumed that his status allowed him to become an officer during the war. There is a sense that patriarchs are able to voice out their opinions, which Sassoon clearly does in the very beginning of the novel with his declaration. Rivers is a patriarchal figure at Craiglockhart, where patients seek him for help, in particular Sassoon and Prior who confide in him and see him in a paternal manner. Rivers is also part of the Board, which decides on whether or not a patient is fit enough to return to battle, indicating that he does have a lot of power and authority.

However, there are a few exceptions to this, in particular Prior and his father. In the beginning of the novel, we find that before the war, Prior had been part of the working class; however his job involved him interacting with those in the middle/ upper class. In addition to that, we find that despite Prior’s low status, he had been an officer during the war, in charge of his fellow soldiers. Prior’s character believes that the idea of class is just based on being born into a particular division, and despite this, he looks down on the working class since he has had good education. Prior’s father is a patriarchal figure in his working class division, carrying himself with confidence and authority, even with other people (as seen with the meeting between Rivers and Mr. Prior). Both Prior and his father are not afraid to voice their opinions and thoughts, despite the fact that the one they are speaking to is Rivers, who is of a higher class than both of them.

The idea of patriarchy is presented in Regeneration as one that consists mainly of the higher class who control the lives of everyone else. The world in which the novel is set in is a much closed minded, controlled place where society does not accept anyone who defies their views, however there are a few characters who do contradict their views, in particular Sassoon, Rivers and Prior.