How is Prior developed for the reader?
There was a distinct difference in attitudes to class during World War One, and this is seen in Pat Barkers’ presentation of Billy Prior. Upper, working and lower classes viewed each social class with contempt, which lead to tension at the home front, and Barker presents Prior to show these tensions. Prior reflects the middle class views of this time period, as well as portraying the different relationships between different social classes.
We first meet Prior in chapter 5 when Rivers is introduced to the new patient in the hospital who has a rude attitude and refuses to speak for his speech ‘comes and goes’, “it was unlike Sister Rogers to take a dislike to a patient”. Prior comes across as angry, stubborn and blunt as he writes in block capitals giving short and straightforward responses such as “I DON’T REMEMBER”. Suggesting he maybe thinks he does not belong at the hospital, or that he is there for the wrong reason. There is tension between Prior and Rivers as they both seek for authority, this can be seen when Rivers corrects a misspelling Prior had made, “Two I’s in “Physically”, Mr Prior”. The fight for superiority continues as Rivers “not roughly, but firmly” puts the tea spoon to the back of Prior’s throat, making his eyes water, but more importantly, Prior “tried” to “push River’s hand away”. The reader knows Prior wants superiority as he is described to have a “supercilious expression” on his face.
Prior struggles with his present identity as a result of the conflicting roles expected of him by his parents. His lower class birth and working class background places him into a difficult situation. His father, a stereotypical working class man, has nothing but “contempt” for his son. He believes his mother made him too ambitious, and now he is ruined, “She’s made a stool-arsed jack on him, if that’s what you mean”.