"Regeneration" by Pat Barker

In the novel "Regeneration", the psychological effects of World War I imposes a huge dilemma among psychiatrist Dr. Rivers; regarding his patients. He realizes it is his duty to give proper care to his patients, hopefully resulting in sending them back to war. Unfortunately, throughout the novel he begins to question whether or not healing his patients only to send them back to war and possibly be killed is the right thing to do.He …

…to heal each patient's nerves by encouraging them to express their memories about the war. Throughout the process of treating each one of these patients, Dr. Rivers slowly begins to recognize changes in his beliefs about the war. The severe issues that his patients must face are beginning to take part in a sympathetic toll on him, causing him to feel shamefaced because of the amount of control and influence he possesses over his patients.