One of the major themes of Regeneration is father-son relationships. When Rivers goes on leave, he thinks a lot about his childhood and his relationship with his father. His father was both a priest and a speech therapist, and tried to foist his beliefs on his son. However, the young Rivers one day decided that his father's beliefs about speech therapy were "nonsense" and mentally "[swept] away his father's life's work in a single minute as twelve-year-old boys are apt to do" (153). Rivers also dares to "suggest that Genesis was no more than a creation myth of a Bronze Age people" (153). Despite his father's efforts to impose his beliefs on his son, Rivers rebels and goes his own way. In some ways, the relationship between Sassoon and Rivers is similar to that between Rivers and his own father. Rivers believes that is is Sassoon's "duty to go back, and [his] duty to see that [Sassoon] does" (73). Is Rivers attempting to "father" Sassoon in the same imposing manner that his father raised him?
Another important idea in the novel is the disconnect between soldiers and civilians. After Graves leaves Craiglockhart, Sassoon begins to hate "everybody, giggling girls, portly middle-aged men, women whose eyes settled on his wound stripe like flies. Only the young soldier home on leave, staggering out of a pub, dazed and vacant-eyed, escaped his disgust" (44-45). He feels it is unjust that people can stay at home, living normal lives, while men are dying and wasting away in trenches. There is also a sense of awkwardness and conflict about the war from the civilian point of view. When Sarah finds the tent full of mutilated soldiers hidden from public view, she is shocked and stares uncertainly. Afterwards she realizes that "there was nothing she could have done that would make it better. Simply being there, by being that inconsequential, infinitely powerful creature: a pretty girl, she had made everything worse. Her sense of her own helplessness, her being forced to play the role of Medusa when she meant no harm, merged with the anger she was beginning to feel at their being hidden away like that. If the country demanded that price, then it should bloody well be prepared to look at the result" (160). Sarah is conflicted because she is powerless but feels strongly that others should see what the war has done to its soldiers. To hide them away perpetuates the idea that there is only courage and glory in war, rather than trauma and irreversible damage. Prior personifies the soldier's conflict. While being examined by a doctor, Prior notices that the doctor "thinks [he's] shirking...and the idea made him go cold" (161). If Prior does not return to war, he is seen as a coward. However, if he does go back to France, he will only exacerbate the physical and mental damage that has haunted him since he left the front. Are there other ways in which the disconnect between soldiers and civilians is shown? Also, how is the theme of societal beliefs versus individual beliefs seen in the novel?
I believe in Regeneration that theres a strong correlation between the father and son theme and the country vs soldier theme. When you grow up, you mostly look towards your parents or whoever raises you in that position. For a father figure typically, there is traditionally a need to be the "man of the house". Similarly, a nation as a whole usually has a core set of values that follow a paternal figure. For instance in England there is the saying "for God, King and Country". As a soldier, or any good patriot, you have a moral duty and responsibility for the pledge you make to your country. Rivers tears away from the values his father holds true. What is ironic is that Rivers returns from his revolt. He does this by becoming a doctor, taking on the task of young soldiers, some, like Sassoon, who are rebelling against their country, and some, like Burns and Prior, who are running away from their fears. It is almost as if Rivers is compensating from having running away from his father. Another ironic point is that Rivers goal as a doctor is to return these boys back towards the misery of the trenches.
ReplyDeletesocietal beliefs vs individuals beliefs is a fairly strong contrast that in some ways has been altered by the war. British society as a whole believes strongly in their country and what it stands for. It also functions of the repression of the individual, especially when it comes to emotion. Sassoon can barely express himself, as he cannot be accepted as Gay, but also cannot be accepted for believing that the war is senseless. When he initially walks onto the beach, Prior feels completely detached, even angry and the naive civilians he is surrounded with. I think there is almost a third society for combatants, the society of the frontline. For Sassoon at least, there is no place where he feels more comfortable than out facing death with his platoon. Rivers is stuck between the two types of belief, especially when it comes to soldiering, since it is something he can never do.
I think that when you are raised in a certain manner it is hard to forget it, and it naturally will be in the back of River's mind even if it is an unintentional thought. I think that River's finds it is harder to connect with Sassoon because Sassoon is more closed and tends to isolate himself. This might be new to Rivers, so he does not know how to react. Also, River's is already like a father figure to the other patients and that is very recognizable.. But no, I do not believe that Rivers is attempting to "father" Sassoon in the same way, I just think that it is hard not to, when his father already imprinted a certain lifestyle in his mind.
ReplyDeleteI think in the past books that we have read society takes a huge toll on individuals beliefs and has the power to change personal views. I think that the characters ability to be themselves is completely blocked by the what is "the right thing" to do. Prior is not doing what is in his best interest, his health and safety should be the first priority. I think a huge theme that occurs is heterosexual versus homosexual, and whether it is socially acceptable or should be hidden from society.
I agree with Nina's point about society influencing individuals and changing their personal views. In all of the books that we've read, we've seen society's influence, both positive and negative, on the individual. This book is no different. It's interesting that this society is very accepting of the comradery between the men on the front, but when this comradery crosses the fine line into homosexuality, society violently rejects it. On page 204, Rivers says "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. Is it the right kind of love? Well, one of the ways you can make sure it's the right kind is to make it crystal clear what the penalties for the other kind are." As a result of this disapproval of homosexuality, many of the men choose to hide their feelings which is an example of society controlling the individual.
ReplyDeleteThe conflict between societal and individual beliefs is a key conflict, in this novel and in many others we've read. Ellie uses a key quote, concerning one of the main conflicts that Sassoon faces with society: his homosexuality. What Sassoon feels for other men is not societal acceptable in England, even more than that, it is illegal. This same conflict is visible in many other characters as well, mainly Graves, who feels the need to emphasize his attraction to women, and to Rivers, who warns Sassoon about the dangers. Sassoon also faces a similar dilemma with his opinions concerning the war. When he speaks out against the war he faces military prosecution; his opinions are "treasonous," certainly not socially acceptable. These conflicts between self and society contribute immensely to Sassoon's character.
ReplyDeleteI agree with that Louise said about the conflict between individual and societal values being a core aspect of Sasson's character. Sasson as a character basically embodies the main aspects of "should nots" of British culture at this time. The accepted life of a man, or young man in most cases, was to go to war die or become a hero and then come back to marry your girl. Sasson is not only homosexual but also does not believe the war is a just case. Other characters in the book have these same quality, such as Graves, but mask them with the appearance of a good traditional boy. Graves is a perfect example of the type of life Rivers tells Sassoon to live on page 205, Rivers tells Sassoon "It's time you grew up. Started living in the real world." By real world Rivers means living an acceptable style of life. I think this is also an example of Rivers showing his "father" role. Even though his message is not the best, Rivers is genuinely concerned for Sassoon and trying to tell him to watch himself. Rivers relationship with Sassoon is a little different from his relationships with other patients, and I think his relationships with many of the other patients highlight his fathering ways better than his relationship with Sassoon.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, Rivers is presented with a dilemma in the form of Sassoon who is an accomplished war hero whose sexual identity and opinion on the war is unacceptable in Europe. Even though Sassoon was sent to Craiglockhart because of his mental instability, Rivers does not believe that he is crazy, but rather that he is a man who is struggling to find his identity. As their relationship develops, Rivers must decide whether to allow Sassoon to seek shelter in the Craiglockhart facility or to push him to return to the heartless trenches of World War I. Although Rivers’ relationship with Sassoon is similar to the one he shares with his own father who is a source of practical advice, the underlying homosexuality of both characters depicts Rivers as a lover rather than as a patriarchal figure.
ReplyDeleteWorld War I enabled individuals such as Sassoon, Owen, Wilde, and other artistic revolutionists who held their own individual beliefs to affect the social beliefs of modern Europe. These authors described the horrors of war through poetry and prose, exposing their readers to the brutal truth, similarly to Sarah’s revelation inside the medical tent. Not only did what they believe in contradict the beliefs of society, but also many of them experimented with their sexualities. Homosexuality was considered a crime throughout Europe as was desertion, betrayal of one’s country, and opposition to war.
I agree that Rivers is a father figure to most of the patients at Craiglockhart but he is not trying to Sassoon and his relationship with Sassoon is different from that with other patients. Rivers is a great care-giver which can be seen from his reaction to Burns's absence and his everyday appointments with the patients. He pays a lot of attention to them and tries to get to gain deep understanding of their cases before making any decision. However, Rivers does not treat Sassoon as a patient but sees Sassoon more as a perfectly normal person. Although Rivers agrees with Sassoon's stand point on the war it is his job to send Sassoon back to the war, which creates the conflict between doing the right thing and doing what he is supposed to do. Between Rivers and Sassoon the father-son relationship still (sort of) exists in the way that Rivers always try to push Sassoon on the best path, for example, he thought it would be better for Sassoon to go back to France so that he would not be executed for being a homosexual. He also worries about Sassoon and wonders whether it is the war which destroys him or Craiglockhart which destroys him. I think it is interesting how everyone relies on Rivers and it is hard for Rivers not to father any patients who see Rivers as the person who will always be their when patients need help and care.
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