The wide world of possibilities they were once afforded has shrunk it now fits in a fox-hole. An entire generation of young men has been sitting immobilized in narrow trenches, waiting for orders. Meanwhile, the war has increasingly forced men into a single role: the soldier. She and her co-workers drink, talk loudly, approach men, have pre-marital sex, and stay out late. During World War I, many women like Sarah had an increased earning potential, which allowed them to support themselves financially Prior notes their newfound independence when he first meets Sarah. Prior’s girlfriend, Sarah, is a worker at a munitions factory, where she makes several times more than she did as a governess. The war-time shortage of male labor has allowed women to step into traditionally masculine roles. In this selection, Prior reflects on the ways in which women have changed since the war broke out several years ago. 'They seemed to have changed so much during the war, to have expanded in all kinds of ways, whereas men over the same period had shrunk into a smaller and smaller space.' - Billy Prior, pg. Rivers, the primary protagonist, comes to adopt Sassoon's perspective at the end of the novel even though Sassoon himself has returned to fight. Ultimately, the novel vindicates Sassoon’s conception of duty when Dr. In his mind, his responsibility to stop the needless slaughter comes before his responsibility to fulfill his job.

This understanding of duty departs from Sassoon’s own, however - the lieutenant feels a stronger sense of loyalty to his fellow soldiers. Graves holds that since Sassoon has agreed to serve as an officer, his ultimate responsibility is to the British military, regardless of his views on the war. He invokes a sense of duty and honor that revolves around institutional loyalty and the power of an individual’s commitment. Rivers how he is able to agree with Sassoon’s assessment of the war but disagree with his protest. And you don't back out of a contract merely because you've changed your mind.' - Graves, pg.

'The way I see it, when you put the uniform on, in effect you sign a contract.

The silent patient quotes