Courage in Pat Barkers Regeneration Essay -- Pat Barker Regeneration

Courage in Pat Barkers RegenerationDuring the Vietnam struggle, many Americans decided to choose conscientious objector status and serve the struggle effort in non-combative ways others moved to Canada, leaving their families, their communities, and their nation because of strong political convictions. While some said these people were cowards and a disgrace to their families and their nation, others argued that those had average as much courage as the men on the front lines. Although moving to Canada was far less difficult than being sent to Vietnam, these Draft Dodgers proven they had courage to stand up for what they believed in. On pages eight and twenty-two of Pat Barkers Regeneration, two very highly esteemed awards are introduced, the Military Cross (MC) and the capital of Seychelles Cross (VC). The protagonist of this story, Siegfried Sassoon, responds to his military honors by demonstrating two kinds of courage, one lauded by his government and popular opinion and one mi sunderstood and disdained by his society. Though Barkers novel presents these two types, she ultimately values courage of private conviction. Not only does Sassoon exert this courage of personal conviction by writing a earn to his commanding officer, but also by throwing away one of the prestigious medals.The Military Cross (MC) Award was instituted December 28, 1915. The award is presented to officers of the rank of Captain or below, for distinguished and meritorious services in battle (Brew). Most often meritorious services in battle means crossing enemy lines and cartroad through enemy trenches in order to save men of the officers battalion. This award is ranked as one of the highest honors possible for an officer to attain, and is clearly for gallant and dis... ...how they were perceive by different individuals in Regeneration, two different types of courage are seen one that was applauded by the government and public opinion, and one that was misunderstood by Sassoons soci ety. It takes personal conviction exhibited through courageous acts to live with yourself in the face of a worldview at odds with your own.Works CitedBarker, Pat. Regeneration. New York Plume, 1993.Brew, Steve. Gallantry Medals Awarded to 41 Squadron Pilots. World War One. 2003. Veterans Affairs of Canada. 20 Apr. 2004 <http//brew.clients.ch/Medals41.htm.Chapman, Mike. Victoria Cross Facts. British Gallantry Awards. 1981. PE Abbott, JMA Tamplin. 19 Apr. 2004 <http//www.victoriacross.net/medal.asp.Duffy, Michael. Military Cross. First World War.Com. 2000-2004. 19 Apr. 2004 <http//www.firstworldwar.com/atoz/mc.htm.