Journeys End by RC Sheriff Essay -- English Literature

Journeys EndR.C Sherriff uses the characters in his play Journeys End to createtension and drama. In the opening scene Sherriff uses Osborne, an antiquated man who is second in command of the company thats coming onduty, and Hardy, the captain of the company that is coming off duty,to set the scene. Hardy starts to do this when pointing give away featureson a map of the front line, Here we are, we hold two hundred yards offront line. We have a lewis gun here and one in this little sap hereand sentry posts where the crosses are. Sherriff also uses Hardy andOsborne to give an insight into the character, Stanhopes, personalityand to describe the living conditions in the front line. He first doesthis by using the stage directions at the beginning of the play CAPTAIN HARDY, a red-faced, cheerful looking man is sitting on a boxby the table, instantly drying a sock everyplace a candle-flame, this givesa first impression of the trenches and dugouts being cold and wet.Sherriff then takes th is description hike when Hardy saysExcuse my sock, wont you... Guaranteed to keep the feet dry, troubleis it keeps getting wet doing it. The living conditions are thenfurther described as poor. When Hardy offer Osborne a drink of whiskybut warns him Dont have too much water its rather strong today,this gives the indication that the water is unsafe and has to bedisinfected. another(prenominal) indication that conditions were poor, was whenOsborne was examining the beds and Hardy blurts out Oh no thatsmine. The ones in the other dugout have no bottoms. You keep yourselfin by hanging your arms and legs over the sides. Mustnt hang yourlegs to low, or the rats gnaw on the boots. Hardy and Osborne providean in... ...ys in the following way Stanhope stayed at Raleighs housein the holidays and was supposedly his friend and he cared aboutRaleigh and his sister, but doesnt want him in the company in case hebecomes injured or even killed. Stanhope doesnt think highly of theColonel because h e only cares about getting a result and pleasing thebrigadier and doesnt realise that Osborne is dead until Stanhope saysto him in a sarcastic tone How awfully comme il faut - if the brigadierspleased. The death of Osborne really shows on Stanhope because heshouts at Raleigh and tells Raleigh to eat his food and have a drinkof whisky, basically forcing Raleigh to do stuff. When Raleigh isdying Stanhope completely changes his tune, he tries to comfortRaleigh and says that he will send him home, and after Raleigh passesaway he sits there until he is called for and the play ends.