The Stresses of War Affecting the Characters in Regeneration and Journe

The Stresses of War Affecting the Characters in Regeneration and Journey's End 'Regeneration' is a fictional novel written by by Pat Barker. However, some of her characters in the novel like Owen and Sassoon did exist. The play 'Journeys End' is also fictional and all the characters are Sheriffs creation. 'Regeneration' is a serious and moving novel typical of war, as it shows war in a realistic way, whereas 'Journeys End' is full of black humour, in an attempt to make the play less morbid then it actually is. The writers are trying to achieve the views of the officers; they never actually saw mental ill health as serious as it was. They kept sending men back to war whether they had recovered or not. In the first chapter of 'Regeneration' we learn of the 'soldier's declaration' written by Sassoon. "I believe the war is being deliberately prolonged by those who have the power to end it". To other men in war this would be seen as "wrong and wimpish" because men weren't expected to do that, if you went to war you weren't seen as a coward. To Sassoon this declaration was the bravest thing he had ever done. For someone in war to write this they must have had enough and this shows the stress he was under. Barker could have used the declaration to portray her point on the futility of war. Another example of the stresses of war on Sassoon in the first chapter is when he throws away his medal for 'saving lives'. To receive a medal in war is widely regarded as a great honour to any man. Sassoon may have threw it away as he may feel that its ironic and degrading that he risks his and saves others lives, and all he gets in return is a medal. However, the beginning of 'Journey's End' is very different "he ca... ... learn of the death of Raleigh. Stanhope sits with him until he dies. Even though all of the soldiers are stressed about the war they still look after their men at times of need. This is in contrast with 'Regeneration' as Rivers looks after his men all throughout the novel, not just at times of need. "The point of the meeting is to protect the soldiers". In 'Regeneration' Burns leaves the hospital in an impulse, he doesn't know where he is going to go, or what he is going to do. His mental state is extremely fragile. Burns has desire for escape out of the hospital and away from human beings. This is in contrast with 'Journey's End' as Stanhope is ill but refuses to give up. "Young Stanhope goes on sticking it month in, month out". Considering all the stress that he is under, and how hard it must be, he is seen as being a bit of a hero to the audience.