How is the idea of the patriarchs presented in Regeneration?

The world of the novel is closely monitored and there is an expectation that all men should be patriarchal within their own environment. Barker portrays a patriarchal society through her three main protagonists being Rivers, Sassoon and Prior. At first Barker leads the reader to believe that patriarchs are men from a higher class, as depicted by Rivers and Sassoon. Both these men came from the middle class and worked in an occupation with great authority. Although a character from the ‘working class’ like Prior challenges this idea within such a society, seeing as he is employed in a middle class occupation. This involves him being the leading authority of his unit within the war. This idea of a controlled society stems from the government, whom is faceless. By representing the power holder as an unidentified figure, the protagonists are unable to single out the government to rebel against it. Therefore the characters are able to direct their frustrations and insubordination to individuals within society and themselves, rather than a leading authority.

Barker presents the concepts of a patriarchy through characters and uses the characters to defy the typical ideas enforced. Yet she makes them have an element of submissiveness and conformity to society. This society is represented as a whole but is being challenged by individuals. A prime example is Billy Priors family. His father is a patriarch within the confines of his family but he is not within society because he was born into the ‘working class’. It is evident that Mr. Prior follows the stereotypes inside society that have been formed by the government, to control society. On the other hand Prior has attained an occupation that involves him being a patriarch, yet he has an inner desire to rebel against the institution. As portrayed through the protagonist’s, patriarchy is depicted on both an individual level and as a whole society.

Posted By Lauren Carr

Barker's Presentation of People's Attitudes

Pages 202 – 205

In these extracts Barker presents a lack of change in attitude towards men and sexuality as established through Rivers conversation with Sassoon as they question Graves’s reaction to his old friend’s homosexuality.

As Sassoon discovered about Graves response to the fact that his friend is homosexual, he felt hurt as it meant that Graves made so explicit that it was “disgusting”. He also underwent a feel of disappointment in him as a friend- someone who was there for him and supports him, was now looked in a different perspective because of his closed minded opinion about homosexuals. As we know Sassoon is also homosexual so for a Graves to react that way made him feel like the person he came to knew didn’t turn out at he expected it to be. There friendship was possibly built on a lie and Sassoon impression of Graves has now changed, as if he didn’t know him anymore.

Sassoon thought of the homosexual situation was growing more tolerant but that was proven wrong as Graves friend was sent to a psychiatrist to be “cured” as if being a homosexual was a mental illness. This made him upset and oppose to what other people think. What is interesting is that even with the war going on, already being the worst thing that could happen, lost of lives the discussion of being a homosexual was still looked as if it were a sin. Rivers explains to him and makes it clear that there is a right and wrong kind of love between men. Rivers tries to protect Sassoon by advising him to keep his homosexuality a secret and not present himself fully or else he may even be considered as an enemy of his own country.

Posted By Ann Mayo-Smith

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

The idea of patriarchs is presented by the characters in regeneration, and especially through the characters of Rivers and Sassoon. Sassoon an officer and so is of high rank and demands respect. With this we can see how strong men receive such high posts and can thus voice out opinions which Sassoon does right at the start of the novel through his declaration. Rivers is another character who is used to present the ideas of patriarchs. Rivers is the head of Craig Lockheart and so people look up to him and seek guidance from him which shows how those of elevated status are respected.

Prior's dad is another character who is used in regeneration to how patriarchy, he is the head of the family and is very demanding and dominant over Prior although he is of working class and so in the rest of society he is relatively low in the positions of power. This explores how the position in society almost decides ones position in the patriarchal system. Trough the characters in Regeneration it explores how the patriarchal system is differrent for everyone and in one instance they may hold power but in the next be powerless, in Prior's dad's instance and it also portrays how there are different extremes of patriarchy and people use it differently, Rivers uses it to help others while Sassoon uses it to voice his opinions.

How is the idea of Patriarchs and Patriarchy presented in Regeneration

In Regeneration, a very negative view is placed on stereotypical ideas of patriarchs and patriarchy. We are shown how men who do not fit the stereotypical idea of a patriarch, can be just as masculine and brave in their own way. For instance, the patriarchs in Regeneration which do not fit into their role are Rivers, Prior, Sassoon. They are all in charge of a group of people in some way, but are not regarded as the most masculine. In regeneration, a person's class plays a large role in whether they are regarded as a patriarch and how respected they are, the one exception is Prior, who comes from a working class, but who's father is of a lower class, and yet he is an officer.Barker may of chosen these 3 characters as the protagonist to outline how Patriarchs should be regarded as, as these men don't only govern their decisions with vengeance as the government do, instead they have morals and can empathise with the men fighting the war and the people in their society. Barker chooses not to represent the government throughout regeneration with a single figure, instead of with a mass of invisible faces labelled as one, to outline how controlling a patriarchal society is, as we cannot make out where they are to stand up to them, so society is helpless and outnumbered, and are forced to obey the laws created by those patriarchs. In regeneration, the idea that women are more powerful or just as strong to men is also risen, as the women have taken over male jobs, and are initially fuelling the war, when the men are being diagnosed with war neuroses, and undergoing bed rests, however this may not be the suggestion that women are stronger, just that maybe there should be a sense of equity in a social organisation, rather than being governed by one filled with men and their ideology.

What do you think Barker's views are on patriarchs and patriarchy?

I think Barker obviously is not fond of the idea that men feel they must control everything to pose their "rightful" authority on the rest of the world's population. She seems to be a kind of revolutionist, defying authority that has been given to them by "divine" right because of their sex.
In Regeneration Barker blatantly defies this patriarchy in Edwardian England by showing broken men (soldiers returning from war e.g. Anderson, Prior etc...) and men sometimes dominated by women strength (as Prior is shoved away violently by Sarah). We also find that all patriarchs have something in common, an important status whether it be middle class or upper class therefore making working class people like Prior to oppose the patriarchy himself (even though he is himself a man). I did not like this as it Showed Barker's desperate side to opposing today's patriarchal world and it also stereotypes that the working class actually care too much about their own background and fear the upper classes judgments.

I believe she has failed in making her views towards patriarchy clear enough for a simple reader to understand her hidden points behind her character. However it is blatant that she tries to represent most of these patriarchal figures in a dark light. Yealland for example has a patriarchal shadow over the soldiers but tortures them with electricity as his "cure" for war-neurosis. The government itself is shown as a being an obscure organisation set out to destroy the soldiers' individuality by picking some of Sassoon's poems very carefully like "The General" ridding of himself of soldiers who may be spreading low morale.

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.

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

Patriarchy: a social system in which men are regarded as the authority within the family and society. In Regeneration the government highlights the importance of their role and symbolize the patriarchy in society. Although the government is not a single man, it is a collaboration of men who believe they are the authority, the patriarchs of their society; it is their duty to take care of their people.

In Regeneration the men that are of the high social class are qualified to be the patriarchs of society, although Barker does apply this to all her characters. Prior’s father contradicts this ideology as he is of a low social class but is still the patriarchal figure within his own family. Furthermore he does embrace his role as patriarch. We see this when Rivers and Prior’s father meet for the first time. Both patriarchs look down upon each. Similarly Prior’s character also doesn’t fit the stereotype as he is born in the working class but has risen within society. He has earned his title as patriarch because he works as a clerk and later on becomes as officer during the war. During the war we notice that Prior feels superior to his soldiers and almost disapproves of their behaviour. Rivers’ character is a psychiatric doctor at Craiglockhart who has been placed there under government control. His aim is to cure soldiers who have war neurosis and have them sent back to the war. Despite his obedience, Rivers has his own opinion and agenda on matters and deviates from his role and stereotype.

Q2. What do you think Barker’s views are on patriarchs and patriarchy?

Barker’s has very opposing views of patriarchs and patriarchy in that society. She disagrees with the way the social classes were structured and how men of a higher class can have so much power over men of a lower class. Barker makes her ideas evident through her characters because none of the three main characters meet the requirements of patriarchs during that time. Rivers may be a patriarch at Craiglockhart, however he is not a true patriarch because he often thinks that what the government is asking him to do at Craiglockhart is selfish because he cures the soldiers from their war neurosis but then sends them back to the place which made them indisposed. Sassoon is also not a patriarch because he has a clear stance against the government and very subversive. He is also a homosexual and a very emotional character, which was against the masculine ideals of that period. Furthermore, Prior is very much against patriarchy and makes it clear to the reader when he talks about how snobbish and stupid the upper class is. He is also from the working class but was an officer in the war, which shows that he is part of the patriarchy society but at the same time he isn’t. This creates a conflict inside of himself because he is against it but part of it.

Barker’s view of patriarchs and patriarchy is also depicted through the way she presents the government. Barker’s presents the government as very controlling and inhumane. However the government has no face so people cannot attack it and the public doesn’t know where to direct their anger and cannot single out certain people. Barker also never mentions government officials in the novel, which also suggests that the government is not a single person because a person would be more humane to the soldiers and the war would not be carrying on. Therefore, Barker’s views on the patriarchal government are that they are very inhumane and forceful.

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).

Posted by Melissa

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.