Regeneration - Chapters 3 & 4

Here's a rundown of some of the important points in Chapters 3 and 4. Many of the things that are discussed by the characters, or described by Pat Barker recur throughout the novel, so be on the lookout for motifs and themes.

Regeneration - Ideological State Apparatus

We've talked about 'Homosocial' relations in the novel, however there is another major strand that we needs to talk about: the way that 'duty' and 'free will' are in conflict all the way through. What makes this interesting is that ALL the characters internalise this conflict and it affects them all differently. There's an essay title in that, someome! Anyway, here's some terminology we can use from axe-wielding madman (no. really) and social theorist Louis Althusser. He described two forces that affect the way way act and think - these are (1) Represive State Apparatus: the things that FORCE us to do what the government says and (2) Ideological State Apparatus: the things that make us THINK/act/desire what the government wants us to think/act/desire. All the characters in Regeneration have internal conflicts between what they want to do and what the state is telling them they should want to do. Great stuff, this novel.