In the Novel ‘Regeneration’ by Pat Barker, the idea of silence is used to symbolize a man’s cover to hide away his softer inside. Prior is an excellent example for this, when he entered the story for the first time, he was cast as a mute; unable to speak, refusing to communicate his pain and emotions. At the time, the excessive use of emotion and the display of fears were portrayed as a feminine action. Men were meant to be the brave and powerful image for the women to hide behind. If a patient shares his experience in the hospitals with the Doctors, they are out-casted and emotionally emasculated. This apparently happens to Prior, his mutism seems to vanish with time and he becomes more comfortable to share his experiences with Rivers.
Also, the idea of mutism can also be related to the class division in the army. Based on Rivers, mutism is a “commoner’s symptom”. This brings up the image of social injustice and a possible class division among the army. Also, in addition to this, Sassoon was sent to this mental hospital because he was protesting and the council wants to “mute” him away. In the army, lower ranking soldiers listen to their officers aimlessly; they have no say in the decision that was made by the officer, as if they were “muted” out by the officers and sent in randomly to die.
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Yes, I think silence is also important Bao anh, as it is the one aspect of their life over which the men still have some sort control. One could see it as a reaction against the forced passivity of the army and the the impotent position of a patient.
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