How does Barker present patriarchy in Regeneration?

Barker uses Rivers and Prior in particular and their inner conflicts to present a patriarchal society.
Rivers works within and for a patriarchal society. He himself is a patriarch, meaning a father figur for his patients and the head of the institution.
Rivers may also be representative for the majority of the population living within a patriarchal system.
He struggles to obey the rules this kind of society sets on him, but ends up following them anyways.
He questions if their views on masculinity is justified, since he has witnessed all the problems this rigid view caused on his patients, and is also unsure if he should support the war by sending the healed patients back to fight.
This illustrates how most people must have felt. They were surely questioning some views set by society, but ended up following these rules, since that was what society expected them to do.

Prior, unlike Rivers, rebels against the system. He illustrates the negative aspects of the society.
He suffered under the prejudice attached to each class, since he belongs to neither.
His father could not accept that Prior was 'different' to what society expects a man to be, meaning tough and physically strong.
His father's and the society's rigid views and expectations made him suffer a lot and caused him a struggle within him
This only shows that the patriarchal system did cause a lot of harm to individuals and was not tolerant.

Lack of change in attitudes towards men and sexuality

The topic of homosexuality has always been controversial – it is frowned upon by most people and was once considered an illness which may or may not be true, depending on the reader as the opinions vary depending on the person.

The amount of attention and concern Rivers give Sassoon can be easily interpreted as inappropriate as Rivers deliberately visits Sassoon last so he can spend more time with him before his inevitable discharge from Craiglockhart. Rivers was “aware of more going on in the conversation than he could identify”, which suggests that there is some sort of underlined meaning to the conversation that is going on and suggests that there is a lack of change in attitudes towards men and sexuality because the sensitive topic has to be implied as openly speaking of it can lead to unnecessary attention and consequences such as being forced to go on treatment to cure the ‘disease’. Although it may appear as though Rivers simply wishes to talk as a friend to Sassoon and spend time with him before Sassoon goes off to war and risk dying, the fact that there was more than the sum of the conversation implies that the topic is going to change to more sensitive areas.

These extracts represent a lack of change in attitudes towards men and sexuality when Sassoon tells Rivers about his friend, Robert, who has a friend who got caught soliciting near a school due to the fact that the topic of homosexuality did not come from personal experience, but rather from a friend’s friend which shows that the topic is sensitive enough that care must be taken to ensure that steps are taken to distance oneself from the topic should the need arise. Sassoon considers platonic fondness honourable, like most men would, and tells Rivers that Robert reacted with total shock and was devastated as it is likely that Robert deems himself a homosexual himself as he was fond of one even though not in the inappropriate manner. He is also shocked that “he didn’t see it”, which shows that people find homosexuality very distasteful, which represents the lack of change in attitudes. Sassoon describe Robert’s reaction to the news to “walking down a pleasant country road and suddenly a precipice opened as your feet”, which is appropriate as Robert didn’t even suspect his friend was a homosexual until he got arrested, much like walking down a country road, perfectly comfortable then the arrest and the truth is like the precipice opening, which would elicite a strong reaction of shock and perhaps even fear as he can be associated with his homosexual friend which might give people the wrong impression of the fear of people seeing him as they might presume that he was in a homosexual relationship with his friend, much like the fear of falling off the precipice.

Sassoon goes on to tell Rivers that Robert was “very anxious” to tell him that he has no “disgusting” homosexual feelings himself which shows that Robert is fearful of homosexual men and the association he has with it which represents a lack of change in attitudes towards men and sexuality where typically heterosexual men would want to distance themselves from homosexuality due to the fear of being associated with it as it might attract unwanted attention and a lack of partners. Although in the present, society is more accepting of homosexuals, the topic still has a stigma attached to it as well as homosexuals themselves, much like in the old days, but although in those days the situation would be approached much more differently. Sassoon also feels quite amused by Robert’s anxiety and by the news of his friend’s arrest. He compares it to feeling “like a precipice on a country road”, which would be eager for someone to fall in which suggests that Sassoon wants to express himself and yet has to proceed patiently and cautiously because Rivers may not reciprocate his advances which would lead to arrest and treatment.

On page 204, homosexuality is referred to as a condition that is “curable” and that it is only temporary – Robert’s friend was “sent to some psychiatrist or other” to be “cured”. In modern days it is now known that homosexuality cannot be cured but merely suppressed. It is also made known to the reader that homosexuality is punishable by prison as Rivers cautiously inform Sassoon that “it’s better to go to a psychiatrist than prison”. This is a lack of change as some countries today forbid the union of homosexuals and will prosecute them regardless of gender severely. Whilst there are more liberal countries, there are also conservative ones too in addition to religion like Christianity which forbids homosexuality. There is also a lack of change in attitudes towards men and sexuality in the military as punishments is made “crystal clear” for the “other kind” of love. An example of a modern military is intolerant of homosexuals is the United States Military, which give homosexual soldiers unhonourable discharges which led to “don’t ask, don’t tell” notion.

In conclusion, the lack of change in attitudes toward men and sexuality are represented in this extract by the use of underlined meanings and innuendo in conversations, the careful selection of words and the fear of being associated with homosexuality.

Lack of change in society's attitudes towards men and sexuality

Being homosexual seems to have been regarded as some sort of disease or abnormality.
Within a rigid society abnormalities are not tolerated easily and changes in attitudes do not happen over night.
Phrases such as 'abominable thing' and 'disgusting feelings' are used in context with homosexuality. This only shows how eager people were to judge and critisize homosexuals.
One of the reasons for why this lack tolerance and even passionate condemning of homosexuals was so common, is stated in the novel.
With the constant 'little niggle of anxiety' soldiers had, because of the 'enormous emphasis on love between men' , the need to 'make it crystal clear what the penalties for the other kind are' was the priority of many soldiers.
The 'other kind' were singled out from the society. Making sure that they were not part of the same group as anyone else, made it easier for the society to condemn them.
This is similar to war, in which people fights with each other by differentiationg themselves and the others. By singleing out certain groups, it was easier to fight against them, since they were not part of the own group anymore.

Similtanously to this, some people in power seemed to use this attitude towards homosexuals to reinforce their own power and their reach their own goals.
The 'Black Book' is said to contain many names of homosexual people whose 'loyalty to their country [is] suspect' due to their 'pricate lives'. This implies that just because they were gay, they are directly associated with the enemies of the country.
The people in charge of running the country and who are responsible for the war, might have used this to undermine the power of oppositions. By making everyone opposing war look gay, it is hard for the rest of society to support their view, since they would be supporting a gay person's view.

A lack of change in society's views towards men's sexuality

Through the conversation between River’s and Sassoon in Regeneration, we see how difficult it would be to get on with society if your sexuality opposed the conforming ideas and that people were not optimistic towards the idea of accepting that men can be attracted to one another, and its just human nature, and doesn’t make them any less of a man. It becomes apparent to us how lawfully wrong it is to be homosexual, as it could result in being caged in prison for “soliciting” as Robert Graves friend is.

Although Sassoon and Graves are very close friend, the way in which Graves has reacted to the knowledge to his childhood friend’s sexuality offends and hurts Sassoon, because it brings about the question, if Graves cannot be friends any longer after knowing his friends sexuality as it is “abominable” and “disgusting”, how will he react to knowing that his current bestfriend is aswell? We empathise with Sassoon, as it shows how narrow minded society is, as they can judge someone they have kknown and trusted their whole lives, merely on a single piece on information like who they may be attracted to. Graves can suddenly decide he no longer know’s that childhood friend, and apparently, has never known him, as he wasn’t aware of this. Sassoon feels “like a precipice on a country road”, as Graves acts so shallowly and leaves Sassoon feeling rejected and anomalous. suddenly someone is not the norm if they were not conforming.

There is huge amount of irony as there’s this “enormous emphasis on love between men – comradeship- and everybody approves” but to really affectionaly love a man is morally wrong and must only be done “in private”. River’s is not judegemental of Sassoon for who he is, but as he is aware of the consequences of being gay at a time like this, he has to be dominant, and protect sasson, as he is aware sasson is “vulnerable” to being arrested, and that him being in Craiglockhart and writing the “soldiers decleration” would all be for nothing, as society wouldn’t really value such words from a homosexual, and the importance of his message would be disregarded and ignoredl. River’s tells Sassoon “its time you grew up. Started living in a real world”, as he genuinely cares for Sassoon, and doesn’t want him to suffer anymore, as the people are not sympathetic to this sexuality.

Exploration of Representation of Male Sexuality

Pages 202 – 205
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 of which are supported by close reference to the text.

The lack of change in attitudes towards men and sexuality is demonstrated in this extract through the conversation Sassoon and Rivers have about Graves and his friend’s homosexuality.

He reveals his true feelings when talking about the way Graves makes it clear that “he has no such disgusting feelings” about men himself. “Disgusting” illustrates the full horror he feels at the thought of one of his friends being homosexual and the realization that he felt like this the entire time he has known him and Graves never knew. The metaphor of “a precipice” opening up in the middle of a “pleasant country road” is interesting because it means that Graves feels as if he is suddenly at the edge of a cliff without knowing how he got there; he is questioning everything about his friendships. Sassoon repeats this idea to emphasize how he feels about Graves and that he is now questioning his friendship. As we know that Sassoon is gay himself, the realization that one of his best friends finds his behavior “abominable” would be quite hurtful.

Barker explicitly states that society will still not accept homosexual people into their social circles when she causes Rivers to say “but it’s not very likely, is it, that any movement towards greater tolerance would persist in wartime?”. The reader feels sympathetic towards Sassoon because we find it ridiculous that even when there is a war going on, people are still arguing about the validity of people’s sexual orientation. We come to the conclusion that this is the reason Rivers tells Sassoon to “grow up” when Sassoon admits that he “can’t conform”. He is so strong minded and holds onto his beliefs even though he could be ostracized for them and Rivers also knows that the government could use Sassoon’s sexuality as a way of undermining his arguments against the war and he will be discredited as a respectable person (even more than he already is).

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This extract reveals the social status of homosexuals in the World War II era. Compared to modern day, the times set in Regeneration prove to have been very conservative, especially towards homosexuality. Graves represents the majority of society, which views romance between men as “abominable” and “disgusting”, even fearing it to some extent, especially during war. “After all, in war, you’ve got this enormous emphasis on love between men—comradeship—and everybody approves. But at the same time there’s always this little niggle of anxiety.” War had the effect of heightening paranoia and worry about sexual relationships between men—especially when entire countries were depending on these men to fight in the war. Rivers encourages Sassoon to express his beliefs “in private”, worried that Sassoon’s Declaration will mean nothing if people discover that Sassoon is homosexual. A powerful Politian spread news that 47,000 peoples’ “private lives made their loyalty to their country suspect. This point demonstrates how distrustful society was of homosexuality, if this alone could make people disregard such a powerful declaration such as Sassoon’s, or feel suspicion for their countrymen. Graves’ homosexual friend was to be “cured”. The word choice here suggests that homosexuality is a disease, or biological deficiency that could be corrected with proper treatment. From the extract, it seems that society regarded homosexually as a sign of defect, disloyalty, and weakness.

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

Society is portrayed as black and white during the book. “If I can’t conform in one area of life, then I have to conform in others. “ Sassoon suggests he must follow precedents set within society, to be socially accepted. The word ‘conform’ implies that society wants everyone to follow to same pattern. Men like Sassoon who are different, are made to feel pressured to conform to society. This may be because society cannot deal with change and they don’t know how to react to such things as homosexuality. When Sassoon continues to say “Not just the surface things, everything”, this suggests that Sassoon could hide his homosexuality, as he does but society wants men to all obey and follow the ‘normal’. As depicted through Ross’s trial for homosexuality, we can see society wants to make an example of men who refuse to conform because this can prolong change of the unknown. Once again the reader can clearly see the concept of society being black and white.

“Its time you grew up. Started living in the real world.” This quotation depicts Rivers attitude towards men defying the rules. Rivers seems to be saying this out of desperation to get Sassoon to just conform to society, to avoid trouble like Ross. Rivers is advocating that conformation is the only means of staying protected. The phrase ‘its time you grew up’, contradicts River’s high regard for Sassoon and his opinions. This makes the reader curious whether this statement is said out of frustration or protection. Sassoon’s good friend also supports societies views about obligation to tradition and opposes change. This is evident when Graves speaks about his homosexual friend because he questions his friendship with an old friend due to his new found knowledge. Grave represents a typical man and civilizations repellence against variation. This makes the reader wonder why men had to fit a certain stereotype and where societies disdain was derived from. Though we no longer live within a black and white society, homosexuality and conformation to masculine and feminine stereotypes still remain.

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.

How the extract on pg 202 – 205 represents a lack of change in attitudes toward men and sexuality

This extract suggests to the reader that the society during that time were resistant to change and don’t like to accept deviation from the norm. This is shown when Sassoon was talking to Rivers about what Graves was telling him about their friend Robert. He said, “ he was arrested for soliciting.” This suggests to the reader that homosexuality during this time was illegal; moreover it also implies that people were afraid of homosexuals because they arrested him to keep him contained. The idea of containing homosexuals is also present when Sassoon said that he had to Charterhouse to be “cured.” The word “cured” suggests that the society saw homosexuality at that time a disease and they were afraid that the might become infected themselves, so they kept him away from society.

The idea that the society cannot accept this change but may be creating homosexuality between men is seen when Sassoon said this, “After all, in war, you’ve got this enormous emphasis on love between men – comradeship – and everybody approves. But at the same time there’s always this niggle of anxiety. Is that the same kind of love?” This is a very interesting quote because when the soldiers are at war, great stress is placed on their “comradeship” towards each other but homosexuality is illegal. This therefore suggests that the people, such as officers and generals, are almost urging them to think about their fellow soldiers in a certain way which is very similar to the way homosexual men think about other men, however they shouldn’t give into homosexuality. The theme of love between men is a very common and prominent theme in the novel.

Homosexual men are also seen as traitors to the society and may not be reliable. “The names of 47,000 eminent people whose private lives make their loyalty to their country suspect.” The word “eminent” suggests that these people were important; probably officers in the war, but their trustworthiness was in question. This therefore suggests to the reader that homosexual men are seen as defects to the society because of their unconventional behavior. Moreover, the society at that time also thought that men having feelings for other men were very feminine. Woman during this period were seen as weak and dependent on men, so a man with woman qualities may not be trusted to do tasks because they are incapable to do it themselves.

Due to the fact that homosexuality was illegal during that time, many people such as Rivers tried to redirect people from this frame of mind in order to protect them from the society’s rules. Rivers said this to Sassoon, “Its time you grew up. Started living in the real world”. This phrase is important because it suggests how there are a few people in the society who are willing to accept this change, or new idea, but cannot and have to try and protect these people before they are arrested. Rivers is one of these people accepting this change but told Sassoon to “live in the real world” which suggests to the readers that the world Sassoon was living in is was a fantasy could not become concrete in the society they were living in. The “real world” was where people couldn’t be homosexuals, especially military officers, like Sassoon and he would have to suppress his emotions if he were to survive in that kind of society.

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

This extract explores a lack of change in attitudes towards men and sexuality arising from people not being open to new ideas. When Graves tells rivers about their old friend being homosexual Graves uses the words, “disgusting” and “abominable”. This clearly illustrates how homosexuals have been ruled out of society and are not even truly considered human when all they have is a different view on life. This links into how the punishment for homosexuality is, “prison” which seems very drastic for such a small and harmless change in preference of gender. This very serious punishment goes to show how society is worried by these changes in people and instead of accepting it they try to cut it out which explores how attitudes were very inflexible.

Rivers talks about there being a, “German black book.” The colour black represents evil and destruction which could explore how society at this time believed different views to be something that may destroy all that they were taught by the older generations. Just the fact that there is a book containing all the homosexuals it again shows how society is unwilling to open up to these people and accept them for who they are. This represents how being a man and following all the expectations of being strong, courageous and interested in women was a very important factor and it was one that society was unwilling to change or even modify so that some exceptions were accepted.

At one point Sassoon says to Rivers, “Relax, Rivers, I’m not eminent.” The fact that Rivers seems worried by the prospect of Sassoon maybe being a homosexual himself clearly shows how people as understanding and caring as Rivers towards his patients are still not open to such radical changes in their attitudes to sexuality which if Rivers can’t we can only imagine how much other, less caring, people would be reluctant to change their views. People who didn’t live within the clear set out boundaries and ways to live their lives were considered outcasts and were shunned by society.

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.

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.

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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