Journey's End GCSE English

1. Raleigh

1.1. Naive

1.1.1. In "Journey's End", Raleigh represents the naive, young men who were victims propaganda and the glorification of war. His blatant inexperience is displayed when he is told he will be taking part in the raid, the stage directions inform us that Raleigh speaks “excitedly”. Additionally, after Raleigh is picked for the raid, he exclaims " how terrifyingly exciting!...How topping if we both get an MC!", and he tells Osborne his disbelief at how quiet the trenches are: "I never thought it was like that", which reflects his inexperience and skewed perspective of the war . His excitement shown through the exclamation suggests his nervousness, but also is a reflection that that he, like many other young men in the war, has no idea how horrific war really was like as; The audience know he has come "straight from school" and know that he only understands the glorified picture of war that the government indoctrinated men to fight for them, by euphemizing death, creating a game-like appeal, and appealing to their sense of masculinity and patriotism. When Raleigh meets Osborne and tells him about Stanhope, his naivety shows "You don't think dennis'll mind my-sort-of-forcing myself into his company?", "I never thought of that; i was so keen", as only now does he think of Stanhopes feelings and don't know how war can break change a man, "you mustn't expect to find him - quite the same".As a family and school friend of Stanhope’s, Raleigh glorifies his commanding officer as a hero figure. He doesn’t recognise that Stanhope is a broken man because of his war experiences. Through his letter to Madge, we can see his admiration, as he even says "the men simply love him", which is a compliment and leads to the bathos at the end of their confrontation. Raleigh quickly realises the realities of war after Osborne dies in the raid, and he will not take part in the celebratory meal as a consequence. Hibbert says "he liked being up there with the men better than down here with us." Raleigh clearly isn't intentionally being disrespectful; rather, it implies that the trauma of the raid has affected him, and changed him from "excited" to "walking as though he were asleep". Raleigh’s death scene is one of the most poignant in the play because he started out so naive and innocent about what war is truly like. Perhaps the peripeteia of the play is where Stanhope calls him "jimmy", his real first name, and agrees to when Raleigh asks "Can you stay for a bit?". He dies knowing the world is "so frightfully dark and cold" which blinding displays to the audience of 1928, that war wasn't heroic and exciting, but rather a futile, indiscriminate loss of life.

1.2. Enthusiastic

1.2.1. Raleigh is initially presented as boyish, exuberant and eager to please. He is described as “healthy looking”, in contrast to the pale figure of Stanhope. He is young and his enthusiasm seems to prove Osborne’s theory that “a youngster straight from school” is “the kind that do best”.They have youth and energy and are not yet worn out by the horrors of the battlefield. Raleigh is keen to take part in the raid - describing the prospect as “most frightfully exciting” - despite the more experienced officers knowing how dangerous it is. Sherriff uses Raleigh’s character to show what war did to eager young men. - Stanhope [in a low voice]: How did you – get here? - "[low tone]" suggests an underlying morbid sense of fear or anger, perhaps is Stanhope's case it is both, a s he is scared Raleigh has forced himself into his company, only to view him as a destroyed man and afraid he'll tell Madge, who he believes doesn't understand the strain of war, and she will be tainted forever. Raleigh is fatally wounded in the final battle. When he is being comforted by Stanhope, he asks for a light as “it’s so frightfully dark and cold”. In this way he seems to foreshadow his own death. Sheriff uses Raleigh’s demise to show how spirited young men with so much potential were wasted in war.

2. Relationships, Camaraderie and Loyalty

2.1. ' you'll find the other officers call me 'uncle''

2.2. Fear creates relationships and camaraderie

2.3. 'So-damn-silly-getting hit' suggests he feels guilty to leave the other men fighting, even though he is badly injured, which displays his heroism and comradeship. Furthermore, Stanhope displays the first sign of a past friendship after Raleigh has been hit "You’ve got a Blighty one, Jimmy". It is significant that Stanhope calls Jimmy by his informal first name "Jimmy", as it shows that despite all the conflict created in the play, Stanhope still always cared for Raleigh, which makes it one of the most poignant, but perhaps also one of the greatest reflections of camaraderie in the play.

2.4. In "Journey's End", Raleigh only knows Osborne for only three days; despite this, they become friends "You must come and stay with us one day", and after the raid Raleigh is scarred by Osborne's death, 'Good God! Don't you understand? How can I sit down and eat that-when- when Osbornes-lying-out there-'. Sherriff conveys through Raleigh, that despite the short time period they knew each other and the constant fear of death, camaraderie could blossom when men were put together, knowing it could be their last day.

2.5. Hibbert tries to fit in with Stanhope and Trotter at the meal, and it is the happiest the audience has seen him "[almost screaming with delight]: Oh, Trotter you're a dream!" which echos Trotters words "Oh, skipper, your are a scream" which clearly suggests he is wanting to gain acceptance by imitating their actions. Despite this facade, Trotter turns "a baleful eye on Hibbert" and Stanhope says "[ironically]... treat 'em rough", which suggests they are becoming impatient with Hibbert. Despite Hibberts objectification of women, perhaps Sherriff wanted the audience to feel a bit of sympathy, as after Stanhope shouted at him to go to bed, Trotter even says "I reckon 'e only wanted to keep cheerful".

3. Courage and Cowardice

3.1. Stanhope displays his sense of bravery when talking to the S-M: 'we'll wire ourselves right in. If this attack comes, i'm not going to trust the companies on our sides to hold their ground'. Which shows that Stanhope is fastidious (pedantic) and careful to get things done. Like things done his way. In addition, the S-M questions what will will they do if the companies either side fall and the Germans surround them, to which Stanhope replies "then we advance and win the war", which demonstrates his admirable bravery, as he clearly knows that they would quickly overwhelmed, but despite the fear of death, he says they will stay put till the very end as he believes it is his duty. Furthermore, Stanhope demonstrates his bravery when talking about the raid "It’ll come while we’re here. And we shall be in the front row of the stalls", the euphemism suggests he is afraid, as he is trying to conceal the horror with lighter words; however, he still intends to "stick it out" on the front line, at constant risk of death which actually shows much more courage.

3.2. Stanhope in "Journey's End" says "Catch me wasting my time with sleep" to Osborne, which on the one hand suggest he is very hardworking and dutiful, as he compromises his own wellbeing for the benefit of others in the trenches and winning the war; however, it also suggests that war has had a massive impact on Stanhope, so much so that he now suffers from insomnia as well as his drinking problem. Destructive copisms such as drinking and smoking were commonplace in the trenches, and sleep deprivation also was an affect of the trauma of war and "shellshock", now officially known as PTSD.

3.3. When Hibbert tries to leave the front line by faking neuralgia, a neural problem in the eye which was undetectable, Stanhope describes him as "Another little worm trying to wriggle home" The theme of cowardice is mainly linked to Hibbert during this play, therefore we arguably may feel empathy for him when he starts sobbing, as it Hibbert hasn't been able to find a way of coping with the horrors of war; however, Sherriff most likely put into the play as a comparison to Stanhope, and helps the audience to appreciate Stanhope's bravery.

3.4. The Colonel acts in control, suggesting who Stanhope should send on the raid. But he lacks sensitivity, speaking as if he views war as a game, "It’s all a damn nuisance; but, after all – it’s necessary." Sherriff’s use of understatement in the phrase “a damn nuisance” when describing something which is killing many men, suggests how trivial the whole thing is to the Colonel. The colonel is further portrayed as detached from the men, as he says to Raleigh and Osborne "If you succeed, I’ll recommend you both for the MC" which suggests he is cowardly as he is dissociated from the action, and he also believes the war to almost be trivial, amounting the worth of Raleigh and Osborne's life to a small metallic medal. Over 950,000 total British soldiers died in WW1, not including the millions that were affected for the rest of their lives by the traumas of war, and over 20,000 of those lives were arguably thrown away by General Haig who arguably was also was ignorant which displays the miniscule value each human life was to those who were disengaged from the fighting, and usually higher in command. When the young German soldier is captured, the Colonel interviews him roughly and shows no humanity, scornfully taking away his treasured letters from home. This lack of care and compassion shows him in contrast to the respected “hero”, Stanhope.

4. Conflict

4.1. ' You know! you know he'll write and tell her i reek of whisky allday'- Stanhope suffers from the internal conflict of paranoia, as he wants to protect the heroic image Madge has of him, and he believes it will be tainted and she will think worse of him if she sees he has become an alcoholic

4.2. After the raid, the Colonel is very insensitive and seems to share now interest in the welfare of the men, as all he can think is if that the Brigadier will be "very pleased. Stanhope's satirical retort, "it’ll be awfully nice if the brigadier’s pleased", shows his resentment at the pathetic nature of the Colonel, who only wants to please his superior, and creates a clear divide between the compassionless Colonel, to Stanhope who lost his "best friend"

4.3. "Hero-worship be damned."

4.4. To forget, you little fool – to forget! You think there’s no limit to what a man can bear?

5. Class

5.1. Trotter says 'I never 'ad a motor car' which represents those of a lower class- the poor, less wealthy soldier who obtained a higher rank due to changes in society and belief. In the play, he uses phonetic spellings such as "shows the 'ite of the 'olly'ock", and doesn't use public school slang such as "righto"" which implies he wasn't privately educated; however, that clearly doesn't suggest he is a bad officer, as he is dutiful and kind throughout the play.

5.2. In juxtaposition to Stanhope, Osborne and Raleigh, who are taught at public schools, Trotter if from a lower class, conveyed through his phonetic spellings " 'olly'ocks ", and has risen through the ranks "when i was in the ranks", which illustrates the class divisions in the trenches. He believes Mason should treat him with more respect " that man's getting familiar" which demonstrates how class could cause conflict in the trenches. Wealthier men who fought in the war often were immediately promoted to officer in WWI, which was a primitive system, as it told no indication on how good an officer was, and in the case of General Haig, his arrogance cost the lives of 20,000 men a the 1st day of the Somme, despite his social status. However, the fact that Trotter worked his way up the ranks and is lower class implies he's a good officer, as he would have had to show his skill and effort for a while to become one.

6. Fear

6.1. "Sometimes I feel I could just lie down on this bed and pretend I was paralysed... and just lie there till I died – or was dragged away"

6.2. 'think of it all as romantic, it helps'

6.3. "It does seem rather – silly, doesn’t it?" "now let’s forget all about it for six minutes"

6.4. When Osborne and Raleigh have 6 excruciatingly slow minutes till they have togo over the top, Osborne recites a quote from Alice in Wonderland and Raleigh finishes with a ouplet' and why the sea is boiling hot- and whether pigs have wings'. The nonsensical nature of the story of the Walrus and the Carpenter mimes confusing and fearful nature of war, but perhaps why Osborne quotes it is to escape the horrors of war.

6.5. Stanhope’s reputation as a heroic leader is tainted because of his drinking. Hardy describes his as " a sort of freak" who "drinks like a fish". He even admits that “without being doped with whiskey...I’d go mad with fright”; but despite this, Stanhope is only shown as more human and relatable by drinking to try to cope with his fear and stress.

7. Context

7.1. Shellshock – Now known as PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), shellshock affected 80,000 men during WW1 yet symptoms were often put down to cowardice. Alcoholism – British soldiers were given a daily rum ration, which was increased if an attack was imminent. This led to high levels of alcoholism in the trenches. As a result, Prime Minister David Lloyd George said that alcohol was ‘doing more damage than all the German submarines put together.’ Water – Drinking water was delivered to the trenches in petrol cans. It was then purified with chemicals. The downside to this was that the taste often had to be disguised with alcohol. Trench Foot – Swelling and decay of the feet caused by damp conditions restricting blood circulation. Slang – Journey’s End uses a lot of British WW1 slang such as Minnies (Minenwerfers – German mine launchers) and Boche (the Germans - from French caboche, meaning head). Sleeping Conditions – Most beds were dug into the trench walls. However, many soldiers suffered from sleep deprivation. On the other hand, if soldiers/officers were caught sleeping on duty there was often severe punishment. The Lines – Soldiers rotated between the Front Line, the Support Line and the Reserve Line. They were also entitled to 2 months leave a year. However, the average life expectancy for a soldier during WW1 was only six weeks. Blighty Wounds – military slang referring to a type of wound received in combat which is serious enough to get the soldier sent away from the fighting, but is neither fatal nor permanently crippling. Sometimes this was self-inflicted. Death – 700,000 of six million British soldiers deployed during WW1 died. The total number of deaths as a result of WW1 was around 18 million people. Desertion – In WW1, 306 British and Commonwealth soldiers were executed by firing squad for desertion. The penalty was intended as a deterrent to others. Tactics – Previous successful British warfare tactics, such as deploying the cavalry, proved fruitless during WW1. The most infamous tactic, in which Infantry were instructed to walk very slowly across No-Man’s Land towards the enemy, is often considered to be a tactic used to waste enemy ammunition. Another tactic often employed was Tunnelling, in which tunnels were dug under enemy trenches and explosives were placed.

7.2. Shellshock, now known as PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), affected 80,000 men during WW1 yet symptoms were often put down to cowardice. A higher proportion of officers to soldiers suffered from shell shock. According to one survey published in 1917, while the ratio of officers to men at the front was 1:30, among patients in hospitals specialising in war neuroses, the ratio of officers to men was 1:6.

7.3. Blighty Wounds – military slang referring to a type of wound received in combat which is serious enough to get the soldier sent away from the fighting, but is neither fatal nor permanently crippling. Sometimes this was self-inflicted. Blighty is slang for Britain. Stanhope says "There's not a man left who was here when I came'", which prepares the audience for the likeness of death. In WWI, 700,000 of six million British soldiers deployed during WW1 died. The total number of deaths as a result of WW1 was around 16 million people. The average life expectancy for a soldier during WW1 was only six weeks, and was even lower for young officers like Raleigh, who only lived for three days.

7.4. After the war had end, leaders of the war such as General Haig were criticised for their questionable decisions. Haig was often criticized for being stubborn, incompetent, and outdated, and was responsible for the Somme offensive, which only after the first day, amassed 57,000 casualties, 20,000 of which were fatal. The offensive was a huge loss of life, and no real military advantage was actually gained. Sherriff illustrates poor leadership from the higher in command through the Colonel, who's first comment is his excitement the Brigadier will be "very pleased... It's a feather in our cap, Stanhope" after 7 men, including Osborne, put down their lives for the raid, and aren't even considered by the Colonel. This illustrates his lack of empathy and shows the pathetic nature of the Colonel who only seeks to please his superior - the Brigadier - at the expense of other people's lives. In "Journey's End", the General reflects the callous and arrogant nature of General Haig in WW1. He decides on the day time raid - which was practically suicide as Germans can see them - only so they can discuss it over "supper tonight", which demonstrates how little value the commanders put on ordinary men's lives. The "fresh fish sent up from rail-head" for supper displays the comfortable and safe position the higher in command were, and illustrates how their detachment meant they had no idea what it was really like for the men .

7.5. In 1914 and throughout the war, people didn't question the morality of war, or the leadership of war generals through the disillusionment of propaganda and the surge of confident patriotism that ran through Britain at the time ; however, after 1918, plays such as Journey’s End and the many anti-war poems brought this unquestioning confidence into doubt.

7.6. In WW1, 306 British and Commonwealth soldiers were executed by firing squad for desertion. The penalty was intended as a deterrent to others. Through the confrontation between Stanhope and Hibbert, Sherriff shows his disdain for cowards which are echoed in Stanhope's words "I'd have you shot for desertion... It's a hell of a disgrace- to die like that".

7.7. "Journey's End" was written in 1928, 10 years after the end of WWI. The play concerns the days leading up to a major German offensive known as Operation Michael. Sherriff’s first audiences would have either fought or been affected by it, so their interpretation of the play would, therefore, be quite different from our own. The play was mainly meant to educate those who hadn't experience the horrors of war, and how it shattered the ideology that men were supposed to be brave and strong. Sherriff said that it was his intention to show: ‘how men really lived in the trenches, how they talked and how they behaved.’ Sherriff’s play is at heart about how men deal with extreme fear – a fear that never goes away: a fear of sudden and intense horror, maiming and death. This theme touched the heart and minds of its audiences and the play soon became internationally popular.

7.8. Sherriff volunteered in 1915, and worked his way up the ranks to Captain. However, in 1917, he was severely wounded at the battle of Passchendaele, and had to spend a month in hospital.

7.8.1. Perhaps Trotter in "Journey's End" is used by Sherriff to encompass his own experience of rising up the ranks. Trotter is brave and dutiful which are traits that Sherriff likely believed were admirable, as he clearly frowns on cowardice, through the actions of Hibbert.

8. Stanhope

8.1. Compassion

8.1.1. When faced with the Colonel’s insensitivity towards the end of the play, Stanhope is clearly presented as so upset by the loss of "the only man (he) could trust", by his stage directions: "[expressionless and dead... voice]", which makes clear his disdain for his commanding officers who forgets about the men and instead exclaims "It's a feather in our cap" despite the fact 6 men and Osborne died in the raid. He adopts a sarcastic tone after the death of Osborne, “Still it’ll be awfully nice if the brigadier’s pleased". This shows his resentment at the lack of concern shown for the death of his men and shows he deeply cares about Osborne - unlike his superiors - he is compassionate enough to feel for his lost comrades. In the closing scenes of the play, we again see Stanhope’s intense humanity as he comforts the dying Raleigh. The stage directions tell us that he "[bathes the boys face]" and "[he smiles]" which illustrates Stanhope's buried compassion for Raleigh. In a final act of compassion and kindness, Stanhope remains with Raleigh who - as his life ebbs away - asks “Can you stay for a bit?" to which he replies Of course... Jimmy". Calling Raleigh by his first name is significant as it shows the rekindling of the friendship they used to have.

8.2. Good Leadership

8.2.1. Despite his flaws, Stanhope is presented as a natural leader. This is apparent through the respect the men have for him, and the mature and reasoned way he deals with the issues facing his company. Osborne’s character speaks highly of him in the opening scene. He defends Stanhope against the sneering opinion of Hardy when he states, “He’s a long way the best company commander we’ve got.” The way Stanhope deals with the fearful Hibbert shows his leadership skills. He is straightforward and assertive, “You are going to stay here and do your job.” But he softens his tone later to, “Stay here, old chap – and see it through.” Despite coming across as cold and harsh in this scene, Stanhope uses a variety of rhetorical devices such as repetition and empathy to persuade Hibbert to stay and appeals to his masculinity and integrity to do "the only thing a decent man can do", even with his own crisis he is able to compose Hibbert and strengthen him as a character.

8.3. Flawed

8.3.1. There is no doubt that Captain Dennis Stanhope is a brave soldier. His bravery has gained him the Military Cross. We're also told that he survived one of the war’s fiercest encounters - the Battle of Vimy Ridge - thus building up a hero image in the audience’s mind. We find out from Osborne that Stanhope has been “nearly three years... straight from school"and that “He’s never had a rest”- "I've seen him on his back all day with trench fever - then on duty all night". Despite his illness, he carries on "sticking it out" because "it's the only thing a decent man can do" which is admirable. The audience can't but further admire Stanhope's leadership through Osborn when he says " He's a long way the best company commander we've got" which suggests he's talented brave and dedicated to his country. He is only 21 years old - he is described in the stage directions as "no more than a boy”, yet he has "dark shadows under his eyes" which shows war is indiscriminate and changes people. He is therefore in a very responsible position at a young age.

8.3.2. Stanhope’s reputation as a heroic leader is tainted because of his drinking. Hardy describes his as " a sort of freak" who "drinks like a fish". He even admits that “without being doped with whiskey...I’d go mad with fright”; but despite this, Stanhope is only shown as more human and relatable by drinking to try to cope with his fear and stress. We are given further clues about his dark side when he threatens to shoot Lieutenant Hibbert - whom he sees as a "coward" - for trying to avoid the battle by pretending to be ill. Despite this, Stanhope doesn't shoot Hibbert, but empathises with him, calming him down and persuading him to "stick it out", and that he feels "exactly the same". This scene allows Sherriff an opportunity to show a harshness in Stanhope’s nature, but also to develop useful insights into the effects of war on men. Stanhope is furious that Lieutenant Raleigh has found a way to join his unit, mostly because he is worried that Raleigh will tell his sister Madge - Stanhope’s girlfriend - about his addiction, "She doesn't know. She thinks I'm a wonderful chap" he is afraid that her image of him will be ruined, "for ever - and ever - and ever". Despite his heroism, Stanhope is a flawed character. This is a feature of a conventional tragic hero. He has not returned home in three years, partly because he does not want his girlfriend and family to see that life in the trenches has turned him into an alcoholic.

8.4. Brave

9. Osborne

9.1. Loyal

9.1.1. Osborne is Stanhope’s second in command. His loyalty - despite Stanhope’s flaws - remains throughout, and makes it clear to the audience that Stanhope is an exceptional soldier When Hardy is talking down on Stanhope, Osborne defends him saying: "I love that fellow. I'd go to hell with him” Osborne clearly is Loyal to Stanhope which shows the bond they have developed through war time. While he recognises Stanhope’s flaws, Osborne understands that dealing with the horrors of war have made him the way he is. Because of this, he refuses to criticise Stanhope, and considerately and preemptively says to Raleigh: "you mustn't expect to find him - quite the same", educating naive raleigh that the trauma of war " tells on a man - rather badly" which is a euphemism for the deterioration of the metal stake due to shell shock.

9.2. Respected

9.2.1. Osborne’s respected place in the company is shown in how Stanhope and the others call him "Uncle". We find out that he has been a schoolmaster and the other men - including Stanhope - look up to him. Raleigh is in awe when he says he played for the "harlequins" and even "for the English teamon one great occasion". When Raleigh asks "do the others know", he replies that in the trenches, that "rugger" - the public school slang for rugby - "doesn't make much difference out here... don't breeze about it", which illustrates how peoples' normal lives were consumed by war and builds respect for Osborne as a modest man. After his death, Stanhope shows a softer side when he laments that Osborne was, “The one man I could trust - my best friend - the one man I could talk to as man to man - who understood everything”. This shoes the camaraderie that could blossom through war between men, despite the looming feeling of imminent death.

9.2.2. Osborne also reflects how despite the trauma of war, soldiers still remained fundamentally ordinary men. This is explored when Osborn comments: "I made a rockery when I was home on leave" which demonstrates that he, like all men, had lives outside the war, and despite the truma war could cause, known as "shellshock", he still lived and acts like a normal man in the early 20th century. Additionally, he says he has a wife and two boys who he plays "tin-soldiers..."should have seen how they lured me under the sofa and mowed them down". On the one hand, it does reflect Osbornes homely side as a father; however, it also portrays the inescapability of war and the lasting imprint it had, as Stanhope rightly says: "Poor old Uncle! You can't get away from it, can you?". - link to shellshock - 80,000 men - officers were 5x more likely to suffer it.

9.3. Kindness and Bonds

9.3.1. When Raleigh arrives, he is clearly naive and nervous through the abundance of the stage direction [He pauses], which implies his uncertainty. Osborne quickly says to Raleigh, recognising he is a young and new officer, to "think of it all as romantic, it helps". The euphemism of the "very lights" - which were fired by both sides to spot for raids" - highlights his kindness and sensitivity. He subtly gives Raleigh a copism, which is seen as essential for sanity in the war throughout the play, which further displays his paternal nature, and generates affections from the audience.

9.3.2. When Osborne is speaking to Raleigh he says: "you'll find the other officers call me 'uncle' '', which displays that his paternal nature is enjoyed by all the officers in his company, and portrays him as a kind officer

9.3.3. "You don’t know him as I do; I love that fellow. I’d go to hell with him." - "You sweet, sentimental old darling", Osborne is clearly sentimental and loyal, as seen through his vigorous defending of Stanhope.

9.3.4. Osborne's sensitivity is displayed before and after the confrontation with Raleigh. As Stanhope goes to bed, he shouts "I'll censor his letters", Osborne rather than arguing with Stanhope, who is very drunk at the time and brimming with emotion, leads him to bed so he can rest and rationalise it the next day. Despite this, Stanhope still demands Raleigh's letter the next day, and creates conflict. Both Stanhope and Osborne don't want to read the letter; however, Osborne shows his paternal nature yet again, and reveals Raleigh only wrote admirable things about Stanhope, leading to a large bathos in the play. Osborne perhaps is the one used, as he is the only character he seems to have a deep enough bond with Stanhope to try change his negative view on Raleigh.

9.3.4.1. Osborne perhaps most importantly illustrates the random, indiscriminate nature of death in the trenches, and how camaraderie can be developed in the trenches + loyalty

9.4. Bravery and selflessness

9.4.1. "now let’s forget all about it for six minutes" - reflects the futility of war and how he desperately wants to escape it for the last six minutes he might be alive.

9.4.2. “And because he's stuck it till his nerves have got battered to bits, he's called a drunkard.” - loyal to Stanhope and defends his alcohol addiction, as he knows its the only him to stop him going "potty", which Stanhope uses as a euphemism for madness; however, it was a really worry for men in the trenches, 80,000 of which left the trenches with: post traumatic stress disorder, a serious mental illness that paralysed men with fear, even after the war.

9.4.3. Osborne's sentimental and paternal nature shows the varied attitudes that some men displayed towards their comrades and subordinates. Through him, Sherriff dispels the cruel officer myth. Osborne displays the variation with individuals that went to fight in the war and is used to develop the other characters. His caring nature means that the audience feel it deeply when he dies, and overall Sherriff uses Osborne to put across the point that war is tragic and explore the mental and emotional impacts of the randomness of death, and the effects of constant exposure to it. We know he is terrified at the thought of being part of the raid. We see him reading from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and he comforts himself with this childhood book and uses it as a copism from the horrors of the war. When Osborne reads Alice in Wonderland, it does not only show their relationship, but perhaps it has a more profound meaning. Alice in Wonderland at first appearance seems nonsensical; however, the context of the quote "the time has come the Walrus said" reflects that Osborne knows death is inevitable foreshadowing his tragic peril. Additionally, when Osborne is seen to have a deeper insight into the futility of war, as when he says "how doth the little crocodile improve his shining tale... "and welcomes little fishes in with gently smiling jaws!". I believe that this is perhaps one of the most important parts of the play where Sherriff uses Osborne to highlight the futility of war, as the story can be interpreted as the metaphor for the situation they're facing, as the Germans could be implied to be the crocodile, who is deceitful and cunning, trying to lure them in. Perhaps Osborne is contrasted with Trotter who replies "I don't see no point in that" which could reflect the ignorant attitudes many people had about the war, whether it was deceitful propaganda that shelters Raleigh or arrogance, many people didn't understand the horrors of War, so perhaps Sherriff uses Osborne, a respected character, to reflect the theme of the futility of war. He accepts his fate with an “Oh” when he is told he will be involved and right up to the end - despite his fear - he does his duty bravely which generates empathy for Osborne, and embodies the bravery of so many men who fought and died on the front line. Given Osborne’s age he wouldn't have been recruited, he would have volunteered. This would have increased a 1928 audience's respect for him, showing his bravery in giving his life for his country which further accentuates his bravery. Furthermore, when Trotter - perhaps insensitively - tells Osborne about the failure of the last raid, and how it was almost "murder", Osborne shows his selflessness immediately when he says "here’s no need to tell him it’s murder" which proves Osborne is inherently paternal, and builds emotion for him in the audience.

10. Trotter

10.1. Dutiful

10.1.1. Trotter displays his sense of duty when Stanhope promotes him to second in command after Osborne’s death. He worked his way from the ranks as shown when he is talking to Osborne, “when I was in the ranks”, which displays that despite his lack of public school education, he accepts his role dutifully and says “I won’t let you down”. For Trotter in “Journey’s End”, food is a coping mechanism to alleviate the horrors of war. He makes jokes to lighten the mood; “war’s bad enough with pepper – but war without pepper – it’s – it’s bloody awful!”, which perhaps suggests his jokey nature, but also innate sense of duty to raise the men’s spirits is perhaps why Trotter uses humour so much in “Journey’s End”. His obsession with food shows – just as Stanhope’s addition to alcohol – that every man found his own way of the daily morbid horrors of war. Furthermore, he makes a chart with 144 circles to fill in as each hour passes. This is another example of a coping mechanism used by Trotter to break the strain, as many people who failed to find a way to cope with the terror of war, would usually suffer from acute shellshock, which wasn’t officially recognised till April 1915. Underneath his cheerful attitude, Trotter too has feelings he keeps hidden. Stanhope declares Trotter has “no imagination”; However, Trotter later defends himself: “Always the same, am I? Little you know”. The use of his rhetorical question perhaps implies that he has deeper emotions, though he doesn’t always show it, reveals further character to Trotter, rather than a soulless being, yet he has developed a good way of coping with the terrors of war. At the end of “Journey’s End”, he fulfils his duty as he is the first to go up into the middle of the raging operation Michael offensive, and it is shown he quickly accepts his new role of responsibility as second in command, all prepared, by the stage directions: “[Trotter comes in, fully dressed for line]”.

10.2. Likeable

10.2.1. Trotter presents a humours contrast to Stanhope when they first appear on stage together. He is described as “short and fat” compared to the hero-like physique of Stanhope who is “tall, slimly built but broad-shouldered”. The comedic appearance relieves tension, but also implies that the people who fought in WW1 were just ordinary men who did “the only thing a decent man can do” for their country. Trotter’s first line shows him as cheerful and friendly when he talks about food, the exclamation marks emphasising his easy conversational tone, “Ha! Give me apricots every time! I ‘ate pineapple chunks; too bloomin’ sickly for me!” Even when Stanhope has lost all patience with Hibbert and his bawdy stories and calls him a “Little worm”, Trotter defends him by saying “I reckon ’e only wanted to keep cheerful.” He defends those who are absent which show the authenticity of his character, and he also feels sympathy for Raleigh, who is new to the trenches but has to go on the raid: “Raleigh!” His exclamation shows his disbelief as he knows how the horrors of the war front can taint a man forever, and he genuinely empathy makes him a more amiable character.

11. Hibbert

11.1. Frightened

11.1.1. Sherriff shows the theme of cowardice through Hibbert in journey's end to show its dishonor and cowardliness, "Go on then, shoot! I swear I’ll never go in those trenches again". Sherriff was a duty bound soldier who volunteered in WW1, and was even seriously injured which would display that he was a loyal man which suggests he frowned upon cowardice. However, perhaps Sherriff rather is displaying the catastrophic effects war could have on men, driving them insane, and possibly is actually illustrating Hibbert's bravery, as he steels his nerves and just closes his eyes rather than scream. This would rather suggest that it was not the cowardice of men that should be frowned upon, but the beastly nature of war, that is so horrific that Hibbert would rather die than suffer eternal fear. Hibbert is described as “a small, slightly built man” in Sherriff’s stage directions. This - perhaps stereotypical - description seems to foreshadow that he will be weak and cowardly as a soldier. Furthermore, when Hibbert tries to leave the front line by faking neuralgia, a neural problem in the eye which was undetectable, Stanhope describes him as "Another little worm trying to wriggle home" The theme of cowardice is mainly linked to Hibbert during this play, therefore the audience may arguably may feel empathy for him when he starts sobbing, as it implies Hibbert hasn't been able to find a way of coping with the horrors of war; however, Sherriff most likely put into the play as a comparison to Stanhope, and helps the audience to appreciate Stanhope's bravery. Hibbert’s hysterics in front of Stanhope show him as desperate to escape the trenches and he claims to be ill so he can escape the impending attack, "It’s this beastly neuralgia". On the one hand, this makes Hibbert appear weak, as many men - such as Sherriff himself - were seriously wounded fighting for their country, so for Hibbert to fake a blighty wound (which was british slang for a wound to get you sent home) would have been seen as the ultimate cowardice, as he would have left the other men to die and do his own work. However, on the other hand, it also displays the terror of war, and how it negatively affected men so much, that they would do anything, even betray their men to escape it. Perhaps this implies that Hibbert's cowardice is not the main problem, but the fundamental brutal nature was still often but down to cowardice in the early 20th century.

11.2. Unpleasant

11.2.1. "He told me he liked being up there with the men better than down here with us" - Perhaps Hibbert only wanted to make conversation and be accepted by Stanhope and Trotter; however, his lack of empathy is displayed when he tells Stanhope that Raleigh prefers to be with the men. It is implied that he doesn't understand how Raleigh is traumatised by the raid, but inadvertently sets Stanhope off and is the cause of the massive confrontation between Raleigh and Stanhope. Hibbert is presented as quite a dislikeable character. Stanhope describes him as a "Little worm” with a “repulsive little mind". He doesn’t easily fit in with the men. He tries to be sociable by joking. But his crude postcards of women and references to them as “tarts” - especially while getting drunk after the deaths of other men, creating an unfavourable impression to the audience. Despite this, it may be argued that the audience may feel sympathy for Hibbert as he is trying to gain acceptance from his fellow officers, "[almost screaming with delight]: Oh, Trotter you're a dream!" which echos Trotters words "Oh, skipper, you're are a scream" which clearly suggests Hibbert desperately wants to gain acceptance by imitating their actions. Despite this facade, Trotter turns "a baleful eye on Hibbert" and Stanhope says "[ironically]... treat 'em rough", which suggests they are becoming impatient with Hibbert. Despite Hibberts objectification of women, perhaps Sherriff wanted the audience to feel a bit of sympathy, as after Stanhope shouted at him to go to bed, Trotter even says "I reckon 'e only wanted to keep cheerful". Even at the end we see him taking as long as possible - “wasting as much time as [he] can” according to Stanhope - to go up and help fight the attack that kills Raleigh. It can be argued that the audience who watched the play when it was first aired in 1928, 10 years after the war ended, may have not feet any sympathy for Hibbert, due to his failure to do his duty; on the other hand, it could be possible that a more modern audience may feel pity and empathy for Hibbert, with a greater understanding of mental health issues that detrimentally affected many men with conditions such as "shellshock", as it was only first recognised in 1917, however was .