Early into the text of ‘Regeneration’ we are taught about what is known as the “soldiers’ declaration”, written by Sassoon, who was a very strong-minded man who said, “I believe the war is being deliberately prolonged by those who have the power to end it”. However, to most working class soldiers it could be viewed that this statement portrays him as “wrong and wimpish” by cause of the fact that they were just not expected to do that, but this is contradicted as if you went to war and you were not a coward but more of a “hero” and you were likely to be idolised. Principles become blurred as similar experiences are viewed through different lenses. Pat Barker uses her direct writing style enables the audience a microcosm of "madness" in society.
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The audience can clearly see the side effects that this has had on him. In Act one we see his craving and eagerness to read through Raleigh’s letters, “I censor his letters – cross out what he says about me”. Critics argue that this can show that Sheriff wants the audience to see how Stanhope has become so ashamed of how he uses alcohol, this is because the effect of the war has made him, feeling disgusted with the person that he is. The audience may grasp that Stanhope is one of a weak character in the play that has been emotionally affected by the implications of war. "Drinking like a fish as usual?" (Says, Hardy). This quote just backs up the fact that Stanhope is alcoholic and shows that war can change people just as modern critics would argue. This can show a slightly more clumsy side to Stanhope because he has responsibilities – Raleigh’s sister and shows a weakness by using alcohol. It could be because he is scared about it with stereotypes of masculinity being a possibility for this weakness because he wants to meet up to …show more content…
Pat Barker’s representation of Anderson in ‘Regeneration’ can be compared to Stanhope due to them both showing a vast change in their personality from the effect of war. Anderson’s conflict is mostly seen from his never-ending nightmares on occurrences in remembering the untold amount of injuries that he had seen and was his job to treat. He calls Rivers a “Freudian Johnnie”. This derogatory term helps to convey the anger that Anderson feels about being ill. It also conveys disdain on the fact that he may feel for the Freudian form of treatment. Rivers replies to Anderson’s beliefs of Freud as being “misconceptions”. Barker was extremely careful in the language that she had used throughout; from the continual reference and emphasis on blood, “it pumped out of him” This portrays Anderson’s distaste and reluctance towards blood, as now Anderson just wants to avoid blood at all costs. This raises concerns to the audience, as critics may suggest Barker has hinted the audience with ideas of soldiers in committing suicide from this “desperate enough to have considered suicide?” Barker then puts extra emphasis on the stresses of the soldiers from this period of time, older critics may argue that Barker did this to show that war is a constant battle both mentally and physically that never stops. Barker may also have done this to bring up concerns about his progression and future, putting extra things on top of the war to think about which causes more problems and
The audience can clearly see the side effects that this has had on him. In Act one we see his craving and eagerness to read through Raleigh’s letters, “I censor his letters – cross out what he says about me”. Critics argue that this can show that Sheriff wants the audience to see how Stanhope has become so ashamed of how he uses alcohol, this is because the effect of the war has made him, feeling disgusted with the person that he is. The audience may grasp that Stanhope is one of a weak character in the play that has been emotionally affected by the implications of war. "Drinking like a fish as usual?" (Says, Hardy). This quote just backs up the fact that Stanhope is alcoholic and shows that war can change people just as modern critics would argue. This can show a slightly more clumsy side to Stanhope because he has responsibilities – Raleigh’s sister and shows a weakness by using alcohol. It could be because he is scared about it with stereotypes of masculinity being a possibility for this weakness because he wants to meet up to …show more content…
Pat Barker’s representation of Anderson in ‘Regeneration’ can be compared to Stanhope due to them both showing a vast change in their personality from the effect of war. Anderson’s conflict is mostly seen from his never-ending nightmares on occurrences in remembering the untold amount of injuries that he had seen and was his job to treat. He calls Rivers a “Freudian Johnnie”. This derogatory term helps to convey the anger that Anderson feels about being ill. It also conveys disdain on the fact that he may feel for the Freudian form of treatment. Rivers replies to Anderson’s beliefs of Freud as being “misconceptions”. Barker was extremely careful in the language that she had used throughout; from the continual reference and emphasis on blood, “it pumped out of him” This portrays Anderson’s distaste and reluctance towards blood, as now Anderson just wants to avoid blood at all costs. This raises concerns to the audience, as critics may suggest Barker has hinted the audience with ideas of soldiers in committing suicide from this “desperate enough to have considered suicide?” Barker then puts extra emphasis on the stresses of the soldiers from this period of time, older critics may argue that Barker did this to show that war is a constant battle both mentally and physically that never stops. Barker may also have done this to bring up concerns about his progression and future, putting extra things on top of the war to think about which causes more problems and