Similarities and Differences

In both of the novels, “Regeneration” and “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin”, they use non-fictional historical figures to present their point. They use the characters and add fictional characteristics that allow the author to present the ideas of homosexuality.

The similarities in the use of fictional historical figures between the two authors, Barker and de Bernieres, are that they both do not agree and tolerate the way society expectation treats the characters. For de Bernieres’ character, Carlo, he is hiding his identity of being a homosexual person by writing letters and Barkers’ character, Sassoon, he is hiding his identity of being a homosexual by not admitting to it. This suggests that they are both being silenced or muted by society and their expectations on the male role.

The differences between de Bernieres’ and Barkers’ fictional historical figures are their patriarchal characteristics. De Bernieres presents his patriarchal character through Mussolini who has characteristics such as arrogance, ignorance and stupidity that creates a very hateful patriarchal character. Barker does present a patriarchal character who is Rivers a nurturing, caring and compassionate towards his patients.

Another difference is the reason that Sassoon wants to go back into the army at the near end of the novel of Regeneration is that he wants to protect his men which therefore shows a more plutonic relationship where as Carlo wants to join the army to fall in love with a man which he does which is more like a romantic relationship.

Another difference is the amount of fictional information that the author involves in the characters. Barker uses non-fictional historical figures that are not well known universally whereas de Bernieres uses a more widely known non-fictional historical figure. Barker interprets more of his own personal opinion of the character to present her message through the novel whereas de Bernieres does place his own personal opinion of how the characters are in reality, however it is at a more realistic rate and thus agreed by the reader and so his messages are at some extent more easier to be agreed by the readers.