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‘To what extent does Barker challenge typical attitudes to class and social division during WWI?’

Pat Barker’s novel ‘Regeneration’ deals with several themes, one of which is the class division during WW1. Social division seems to have played a big role in society during that time.
Pat Barker uses the characters Rivers, Sassoon and Prior and makes these men of different classes interact with each other through the use of dialogues, as they may not have in a different environment. Through language and symbolism she generates understanding and sympathy for both, the lower and the upper classes. Through the interactions between Prior and Rivers for example, the reader's ideas are challenged and empathy is developed for Prior and his situation.

By positioning the reader closer to certain characters, Barker makes sure that the reader gets exposed to certain points of view.
Barker makes use of Prior’s inbuilt critical view on the classes to introduce them to the reader.
Prior can be seen as being in between two classes, belonging neither to the upper class nor the lower class, since he holds the rank of an officer.
Prior seems to like neither one of the classes particularly, since he despises the ‘snobbery’ of the upper class men and ‘the bar-room [socialists]’, of the working classes. Barker makes use of Priors background to give the reader the advantages and disadvantages of both classes without preferring one of them.The reader is also often positioned close to Rivers, meaning that his thoughts and feelings are exposed to us. This allows the reader to look at the information and criticism given from a neutral point of view, since Rivers himself is not judgmental at all. We can see this by the way he tries to change topic, as soon as he realizes that Mr. Prior may have taken offence in what he said. Rivers wanted to ‘leap to Billy Priors defense’.
This implies that he is kind and has sympathized with many people, no matter what class they belong to.Because Rivers is open minded the reader can form his or her own opinion more or less without prejudice.

Barker uses language and characterization to show that the difference in class and the prejudice attached to it, is false and that the opposite can be true. She thus challenges the typical stereotypes people had at that time.Sassoon’s declaration and overall situation did not reflect how a man was expected to behave during WW1. It is thus rather ironic that Prior, who is part of the lower class, does in a certain way meet these expectations more than Sassoon does.
Sassoon willfully defies ‘military authority’ and has no problems talking about his thoughts and emotions. Prior however seems to be rather unemotional and gives the impression that he just wants to get better to go back and fight. With Prior being asthmatic, River wondered how he ‘got to France at all’, suggesting that Prior was brave and has a high pain resistance.The same is shown again as Prior says that headaches are ‘hardly a reason to stay out of the trenches’.
This behavior was expected from men during WW1, it is however ironic that a lower class man meets these expectations more than an upper class man does.This only shows that stereotypes are seldom true.
Barker also uses symbolism to imply that judgments towards lower class men were common, but not justified.Through out the novel we have sympathized with Rivers and have come to understand that he is a good man, who is not overly judgmental.We thus know that he did not correct Prior out of arrogance, but simply because he ‘[enjoys] teaching’. Prior however may have taken offence in Rivers telling him that there are ‘two l’s in ‘physically’’. By repeating this phrase through out the novel, Barker makes the reader aware of its importance and deeper meaning and the reader starts to realize that Prior tries to fight the prejudice that lower class men are uneducated, less intelligent and inferior to the upper class men. The fact that Prior takes offence in Rivers remark, shows how common prejudice was.
Other symbols used are poetry and literature.
Poetry and literature are seen as arts which again are mostly enjoyed by well educated people. The general view was and still is that lower class people, who did not get a good education and do physical work all day, do not know how to appreciate poetry or literature. Barker however challenges this stereotypical point of view, by having lower class characters with a passion for poetry and literature.
Prior is one of them, since even though his shirt was ‘nowhere near’ ‘the right colour’ and he had a ‘public school accent’, his ‘face [still] lit up as he quoted the poem’, meaning that even though he does not belong in the upper class, he still enjoys poetry.Barker suggests that the stereotypes are not met and that people should be viewed as individuals, since often their background and education will not truly show who they are.

Masculanity passage analysis

The passage is based on the idea that all mental illnesses are caused not by the intense psychological torment the soldiers go through on the battlefield who are surrounded by death and destruction, but rather is a disease of the 'will', which is an interesting concept as it doesn't put blame on the reasons most people would think would make a man mentally ill. By refusing to accept the scientific explanation for the mental illness, the soldiers would actually suffer more as their conditions would be treated not with medicine and therapy, but with even more work as "conventional cures stressing the need of rest were jettisoned on the grounds that they could encourage laziness", which is "ultimately destructive of manliness", which was unacceptable in those times.

The second idea that the passage takes is the idea that mental illnesses such as shell-shock, war neuroses and mutism was a result of a "crisis of masculinity and a trial of the Victorian masculine ideal", which may have occurred because the soldiers get so torn in between behaving in a 'manly' way which was the social norm on the battlefield while under fire or acting in a way as such to ensure self preservation at the expense of others. The passage further states that the constant hiding of fears attributed to shell-shock, and that it was a result of an "exaggeration of the male sexrole expectations, self control and emotional disguise of civilian life".

In conclusion, ideas that may not seem rational to a person today or to a person back during World War I was used by the British Command during the war as a method of getting more men, combat effective or not, to get into the battlefield to fight, which shows that they either don't care about the safety and well being of the men, or how desperate they must have been to send out the men to be sacrificed.

Thoughts on Sassoon's declaration

In this declaration Sassoon shows his bravery in many different ways.
The first being his will to confront the military head with his honest opinions while knowing this may lead to him being court-martialed or even executed. We could believe here that with the horrors he has seen the importance for his life has no more meaning to him, as if saving his comrades from this war was more important/bigger than his own life. This can be seen as very left-wing.
The second being the fact that he latched out from normal society standards for the common English Gentlemen. He expresses revolt against his authorities and he expresses fear, something rather taboo for the men of that age. However he continues and not only talking about himself but about his fellow soldiers as we can see in "I am acting on behalf of soldiers". His bravery is proven as his friend Graves tries to protect him by convincing the military that he is suffering from shell-shock and is not in control of his mind. His bravery is proven because even his close friend does not dare speak out as he does against the war.

Declaration Commentary

It is very sad that Sassoon has had to go through enough horrors to make want to defy the government and possibly be sent to jail but it also makes him very brave because he has chosen to do something that no one else has done before. It is quite frustrating because the government should take note of what he is saying and realize how awful the war is but instead all they can think about is how Sassoon is ruining the image that war is glorious.

The declaration was very controversial at the time which would explain why everyone was so shocked but it is also disheartening that instead of sticking up for him and helping him, Sassoon’s friend Graves shuts him away. Even though he does it to keep him from going to jail we can still tell that he is slightly ashamed of him where he should actually be ashamed of himself for not siding with him. He doesn’t seem to understand that Sassoon wants to get his opinions out no matter the consequences: “this is an act of willful defiance”. Sassoon knows that he will get in trouble yet he feels that the public deserves to know anyway.

He also subtly mocks society’s view of soldiers with shell shock: “I am a soldier, convinced that I am acting on the behalf of soldiers”. The use of the word “convinced” tells us that he realizes how crazy his ideas may sound to people who believe that the war is good but he knows what is best because he has actually experienced the war.

In addition, he compares the government to a barbaric race when he describes the soldiers being sent out to war as being “sacrificed”. This implies that their only purpose for living is to be slaughtered like lambs which is an unjust way to treat humans. The government regards the soldiers as expendable lives that can easily be replaced.

By Melissa Tobin

Sassoon's Declaration

Sassoon’s raw emotion is evoked throughout his declaration. He doesn’t feel the need to hesitate when he openly accuses the “military authority” of “deliberately prolonging the war.” Sassoon supports his accusation by stating the war has become “a war of aggression and conquest.” He feels betrayed by those who have led him into the war under false pretenses. Sassoon’s bold remark “I am a soldier” implies that he fights for a cause. He was indoctrinated to believe he was fighting for “defence and liberation.” However his motives had been compromised over time as he started to understand the real horrors behind war.

From what we can see from his declaration is that Sassoon had real heart and courage. He wasn’t afraid to speak his mind although the consequences could have been severe. However Sassoon speaks on behalf of his fellow soldiers. He and his comrades are “finished with the war.” The title almost yearns for men to read his declaration; some may even be confused by the title. What could Sassoon mean by “finished with the war?” When there is still in an ongoing battle?

Siegfried writes a vigorous declaration hoping to appeal to the general public. He reveals that he has “seen and endured suffering of the troops.” Time and time again he has witnessed his fellow soldiers in agony, anguish and affliction. He has watched soldiers perish for a forgotten cause. 

His words are infused with anger and betrayal. "...against the political errors and insincerities for which the fighting men are being sacrificed." Sassoon concludes his declaration by saying he hopes to "destroy the callous complacence with...those at home." This is his open declaration for the public. In hopes to create a united front with his own people against the "war of aggression."

A Soldier's Declaration

Finished with the war- 'A Soldier's declaration" written by S. Sassoon.

Sassoon statement is straightforward and clear-cut. He logically states his decision to stop fighting in the war. He has pointed out himself that this declaration is a stubborn and determined intention to do what he wants, regardless of the consequences as he makes 'this statement as an act of wilful defiance of military authority' this shows that he has thought a lot about it and is still willing to take a risk and speak out. He believes that the war has been unnecessarily ‘prolonged by those who have the power to end it’ which is logically true. He truly is convinced that the war has change it's meaning, it was once a war of 'defence' which he signed up for to protect his country and fight for freedom, has now lost it's sense becoming a war of 'aggression'. He entered the war not knowing that the purpose of war was going to change, so therefore not being informed what the consequences would be makes me more convinced with his perspective on why he shouldn’t participate in it. I completely agree with the point made by Sassoon how the war should have been more ‘clearly stated’ that 'it would be impossible to change the decision made by the soldiers. This is because once they’ve made a decision, there is no going back and it seems like joining the war was the only option.

In addition, Sassoon points out relevant reasons on why he cannot handle this anymore which are expressed through his experience and what he has observed during action. He has ‘endured the suffering troops’ and has concluded that he will not be involved in this prolong of the war. That also shows that he is not only speaking up for himself but always for those who are suffering. Sassoon clearly shows his main purpose of his declaration as a protest against the ‘conduct of war’ and not the war it self. He states that clearly so that he wouldn’t be misunderstood, or making people get the wrong idea.

To conclude, the statement of how war is being continued for irrelevent reasons, i agree with Sassoon point on the change in purpose and how people are sarcrificing there lives to win something that probably isn't worth anything in the end.

A Soldier's Declaration

The declaration that S. Sassoon wrote was very powerful and it must have taken great courage to want to present it to the public because it explores all the horrors and all the pain he has endured during the war. The declaration explains how he feels about the war and how he believes the course of it has changed. It is very interesting that Sassoon wrote this because it is a soldier’s view of the war and how it has been handled. He is blaming the government for keeping the soldiers in the war because he believes that the war should be over and that it is wrong to continue fighting. Sassoon also believes that all the problems can be solved only by negotiation and not war. This blame he is placing on the government could only lead to prison but he was very strong minded and believed that he should stand up for what he believes in.

Sassoon has used emotive language in this declaration in order to bring out his point firmly, such as the words ‘willful defiance’, ‘evil and unjust’, and ‘callous’. The words ‘willful defiance’ suggests that his is determined to make his point clear to people, which implies that Sassoon is a brave man on and off the battlefield. The phrase ‘ends which I believe to be evil and unjust’ suggests that he also portrays the government as power-hungry figure because they keep sending troops to the battlefield in a war that no longer needs to take place. Moreover, Sassoon uses the word ‘callous’ to describe how the society feels about the war. This suggests that the society he lives in have a carless regard for the soldiers and they don’t give a thought to the lives that are being destroyed.

However, this declaration is notable because Sassoon does not disagree with the ‘conduct of war’ because one would think that anyone returning from war would inevitably dislike it. Sassoon only dislikes the terms of it, which I find very interesting.

This declaration stirs up different emotions; anger for the government for keeping the soldiers at war when, according to the declaration, there were other ways to handle it, admiration for Sassoon for writing it, empathy for the soldiers on the front line and irritation for the people at home for being ignorant about the sufferings of warfare.

Finished with the War-A Soldier's Declaration

Sassoon makes his statement 'as an act of wilful defiance of military authority'.
When considering that the declaration will be read by 'military authority', this phrase not only suggests that Sassoon is a courageous man, but seems to be rather provocative.
Later on Sassoon even blames military authority to have 'deliberately prolonged ' the war.
The entire first sentence of Sassoon's declaration is very direct and leaves the reader with no doubts that Sassoon has a very strong view concerning the war and the people in power.
It does however also result in him being immediatly disliked by 'military authority', which will make them less sympathetic towards his cause.
This let's me conclude that Sassoon's aim in writing the declaration is not to address the problem and wait for the response of the people 'who have the power to end' the war, but rather to get the country's attention by officially speaking against this 'war of aggression'.

Sassoon states that he is 'a soldier' 'acting on behalf of soldiers'.
By addressing himself and all his companions as simple soldiers and not mentioning his military rank (platoon commander), Sassoon suggests that on the battlefield ranks, and thus maybe pride and status, do not matter, since everyone get's heavily affected by the fights.
Sassoon has taken the glory out of the war, by showing that war only causes suffering.
The fact that 'defence and liberation' are no longer the aims of the war, only reinforces Sassoon's statement that the war being fought is not glorious, but seems to be 'evil and unjust'.

The main issue Sassoon has with fighting the war are it's aims.
He believes that 'men are being sacrificed' for 'a war of aggression and conquest'.
He also implies that there seems to be a large gap between the people in power and the soldiers and the reality of war and what 'the majority of those at home' think of it.
Those at home 'regard the continuance of agonies' with 'callous complacence'.
These phrases show how naive Sassoon thinks most people who stayed at home are and also suggests that it is unjust for them to feel any complacence at all, since they can not even imagine the 'agonies' of the soldiers.

In conclusion, Sassoon's declaration has the purpose of getting public attention and opening people's eyes to the horrors of war.
Sassoon is not relying on military authority to make a responsible decision, but rather decides to protest against the war publicly.

A Soldier's Declaration commentary

Beginning with a strong opening sentence, Sassoon immediately makes it clear that he is frustrated and perhaps a bit angry at the government, which Sassoon accuses of prolonging the war for “evil and unjust” reasons despite having “the power to end it”. He calls his declaration a “willful defiance of military authority”, which is insubordination, I believe that his cause is worthy and justifies the breach of discipline as soldiers are being sacrificed daily battlefields needlessly, especially when a peace treaty or ceasefire can easily be brokered between the warring nations.

Sassoon claims that he represents his fellow soldiers in his declaration, and believes that the objective of the war should have been set in stone at the beginning and cannot be changed as he feels that the purpose of the war has changed since the start – the war which was supposed to be a war of “defense and liberation” became a war of “aggression and conquest”, which means that the soldiers are now fighting a war they did not sign up for, and dying for it. Moreover, he thinks that peace can be negotiated with Germany as France had been recaptured by the Allies by 1917 and the warring factions would want to find a way to withdraw troops without surrender or retreat, but merely call it a draw.

Sassoon aims to eradicate the “callous complacence” of the general public with his declaration as he feels that they are ignorant of the fact that war is a terrible thing, and they do not share the soldiers’ horrifying experience of war nor do they have “sufficient imagination” to realize the atrocities of war the soldiers’ face everyday so they cannot understand how big a role they are playing by allowing the war to continue.

Sassoon's Declaration

Sassoon’s declaration is bold and defies the beliefs of political leaders of England at the time. The statement is written in first person, which makes it the more personal and confronting. The title of the declaration, ‘Finished with the war’, is extremely concise and makes one want to understand the reasoning behind such a powerful proclamation. Moreover, the title is immediately supported by evidence within the first line. Sassoon suggests that those who had the power to end the war were intentionally prolonging it. Blaming ‘super-powers’ in a declaration portrays the valiant character that Sassoon is and the extent he will go to share such confronting views. He continues by stressing how the war has changed. He says he entered the war trusting that he was defending and liberating, but he questions his role in the war, by saying it has become or always been a war of aggression and conquest.

Sassoon states he has endured and seen the tremendous suffering of troops, however its evident he has suffered much more. He has obviously has been scarred by the horror and consequences of war. Not only has he witnessed loss and suffering but saw the pointlessness of this act, as he states ‘fighting men are being sacrificed’ for political errors and insincerities. This particular quote defiantly challenges the role of soldiers in war. As a society we are lead to believe soldiers are heroes but they are never spoken of as sacrifices for political mistakes. This maybe because the statement is uncalled for, or it maybe because society chooses to ignore and overlook this, as soldiers have been so glorified we couldn’t bear to imagine them as only a surrender. Sassoon uses the term ‘we’ relentlessly throughout the declaration. This makes one wonder whether his declaration did correspond to the majority of the soldier’s thoughts of war, or if he was misusing the term to emphasize his own opinion. The experiences Sassoon provided, as evidence would most likely correlate with the soldiers, as they fought, lived and breathed on the same soil. When Sassoon mentions the impact of ‘agonies’ for those at home, it reinforces the horror of war. This declaration is cry for help because it speaks from the heart and is written with honesty.

A Soldiers Declaration

This is a very moving extract as we learn about S. Sassoon's personal views on the war against Germany in 1917 and i admire his courage to run against the rest of the army to help his fellow soldiers.

We learn that Sassoon is unhappy with the way that the war is turning out and is angered by the authorities continued persistence for unnecessary violence: "The war is being deliberately prolonged by those who have the power to end it." This can be seen as selfish but as we read on we learn that Sassoon is not concerned with his own welfare but of that of others. Sassoon also expresses how he believes the reasons for war have changed recently: "for ends which I believe to be evil and unjust." We as readers can understand how guilty Sassoon must be feeling because he is no longer fighting for "liberation" which could be seen as morally accepted but to fight for land and power in his eyes is wrong making us admire him for speaking out against such actions.

In this declaration Sassoon focuses greatly on the suffering the war is causing his comrades: "I have seen and endured the suffering of the troops." This shows how caring Sassoon was to risk speaking out against the authorities on behalf of his men and it makes us admire his character and his courage.Sassoon at the end of his declaration: "On behalf of all those suffering." he hopes to prevent all the unnecessary suffering caused by the authorities who cant imagine what the soldiers have to endure: "They have not sufficient imagination to realize." This last comment makes us as readers fell anger towards authorities who are to selfish to see what they are causing and to me this declaration is a very brave attempt to spare thousands of people many more months of suffering for such and unjust cause.

Sassoon’s Declaration

Regeneration: Sassoon’s Declaration

Sassoon’s declaration is impressive in its frankness and complexity of thought. Sassoon comes across as extremely bold, attempting to hide nothing, clearly declaring the document as “an act of wilful defiance of military authority” in the very first sentence. Seemingly fearless, Sassoon accuses political leaders of being “evil and unjust” and plainly expresses his opinion that most non-combatants are “callous”. This extremely direct language did not waver throughout the entire declaration. Sassoon also seems extremely intelligent, his Declaration obviously not fueled by merely a moment of passion. Sassoon denies “protesting against the conduct of war”. Instead, Sassoon objects soldiers being killed for reasons he believes are “political errors and insincerities”. Readers immediately realise that Sassoon had thought hard and long before reaching the argument presented in his declaration. In beginning the novel with such a direct and powerful declaration, Barker connect readers with Sassoon as a character after only the very first page.

I admire Sassoon’s courage in choosing possibly the most difficult path. Even under extreme pressure from commanders, Sassoon still manages to protest against the war in such a public manner. It is clear that Sassoon does not object to the war due to cowardice--if he were a coward, he would simply choose to argue against the war from moral, pacifist grounds. Instead, Sassoon boldly chooses a middle ground: neither disliking or approving of war, but simply expressing suspicion and distrust of those in power who lead nations into war. Even more impressive in his boldness, Sassoon criticizes not only the world's leaders, but also noncombatants who allow world leaders to send their families to war. Sassoon believes citizens safely at home could not even begin to comprehend the true horrors of war. Seeming to hold nothing back, Sassoon critisizes all those he believes deserve criticism-- and it is because of this readers are convinced that he is purely "acting on behalf of soldiers".

Sassoon's Declaration: A Call for Integrity

Sassoon’s declaration is very strong, containing a lot of powerful opinions on the struggles of soldiers whilst at war. I think what Sassoon is trying to explain is that maybe in the beginning there were certainly heavy reasons for why they should fight, but after months of living in trenches and warfare, the reasons are becoming doubtful, and the aspect of war becoming less glamourous and noble. Sassoon is clearly shaken by his experiences while fighting, as he describes his struggles as ‘sufferings’ and ‘evil’, showing that he has suffered a great deal and has witnessed such traumatising acts that society’s initial thoughts of fighting for your nation as being great and honourable just seem wrong and unjust, as millions of young men are sacrificing their lives everyday.

He definitely does not want to go through the same thing again, and the idea of letting more and more innocent men experience such pain and agony unnerves him. Sassoon expresses some anger and displeasure with those who think that being in his state is such an amazing experience, possibly to those who have strongly encouraged their men to go out and fight, and he clearly wants to set things straight. Those who are in the comfort of their own homes don’t realize the amount of anguish and suffering that the soldiers go through for the benefit of their nation, because of the sugarcoated facts that the government has fed them and through his declaration, Sassoon wants all these lies to stop, and the true image of war to be revealed to the public.

I agree with Sassoon’s belief that the war has gone on for far too long, because violence seems like the only things it can do is to either scare or anger the enemy, and doesn’t solve any problems- only making them bigger than they already area and lengthening the process in which it could be solved. It’s depressing what the soldiers like Sassoon have been forced, and in some ways tricked, to do, and the consequences which they have to endure after: scarred mentally and physically, or dead.

Sassoon's declaration: A sane man's words.

Sassoon’s declaration is fully justified and is coming from a sane mind, talking with experience. I find his reasoning for writing the declaration something I could empathize with, as I myself would protest against the massacre of innocent men for governments’ vengeance on one another, as cruelty and sin is not a reason to serve and die for your nation.

These men joined the war thinking they were protecting their nation from unlawful acts, but now find themselves contributing to the suffering and pain these men went through. Sassoon himself is a man of military background, but even his dedication for the army didn’t stop him realizing there was nothing left moral or liberating about the war.

He speaks of his traumatic experiences, and how he is aware that those at home may think they understand and could imagine what these soldiers have been through, but he also emphasizes that unless you have experienced it for yourself, you could not even begin to imagine the agonizing suffering these men go through.

I agree that those soldiers have been deceived and are being slaughtered like cows for reasons they are not to blame for, and Sassoon’s declaration was merely an act of good will, to try and save what is left of his fellow soldiers, as he knows what they have been through and has gone through it himself. He is not running away out of cowardly thoughts, but out of self preservation, as enduring the war anymore would only turn him to insanity.

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