Journey's End - What is the dramatic impact of act 3 scene 3 on the audience and how does R.C.Sherriff achieve this?
Journey's End
What is the dramatic impact of act 3 scene 3 on the audience and how does R.C.Sherriff achieve this?
Journey's end, written in 1918, is a short play set in the trenches of World War One. The English trench is opposite a German trench with only sixty or so yards of 'no mans land' between them. The play tries to show the reality of war through ideas or comradeship and the way that the characters interact under pressure of everyday life in the trenches. The play also displays ideas of heroism through respect for other soldiers or characters. Overall it is the horror of war itself that is conveyed in this play, shown mainly through death and the lifestyle that had to be lead.
Act three Scene three is the very last scene of the play. From almost the very beginning we have known that an attack from the German army is to be expected. However, the characters in the play are not sure when it will take place or in what form. As the attack could transpire at any given moment the tension is high throughout the play.
This is not the only anxiety in the script at the beginning of Act three Scene three. Raleigh and Stanhope, the plays two most prominent characters, have had a large argument about the death of a mutual friend, which they do not resolve before the beginning of this scene. The strain between these two characters has been immense for the duration of the play. They were previously well acquainted but Stanhope feared that Raleigh, a recent member to the company, would think badly of him as he has become an alcoholic, and therefore refuses to acknowledge him as a friend, but just a colleague. Raleigh has found this very hard to accept.
The audience is not only expecting the attack, but also for Stanhope and Raleigh to clear the air once and for all so they can return to their previous relationship and be comfortable in each other's company. This is not only what the audience is expecting but what they are urging the characters to do.
The atmosphere at the beginning of Act three Scene three is very eerie. The dug out is 'intensely dark' and the single match being struck is the only light in the room, maybe there to represent a glimmer of hope. The writer ensures that the audience is very clear about the exact time and that it is the third day of the play therefore the attack from the Germans is expected. This creates a tense and nervous atmosphere between the characters and this is transfered to the audience.
Although the men and soldiers carry out their duty as normal and pretend that nothing out of the ordinary is to take place, their nervousness and worries are shown to the audience. This in turn makes the audience feel uneasy and concerned for the characters. Trotter tries to ease the tension by saying, "sounds quiet enough out there" and makes things seem okay for a split second. On page 94 interaction between Trotter and Stanhope is comical, breaking the tension once again, but soon the characters return to reality and their fears.
Stanhope relates differently with different people. In this play there are not two people he connects with in the same way. Stanhope's relationship with Mason is either purely work related or quite humorous which adds a light relief to the play. Mason seems to know that at the beginning of the scene tension is high and he must do all that he can not to irritate Stanhope in anyway, therefore just agrees with most things that are said. However Stanhope does make an effort on page 95 to put Mason at ease by suggesting that Mason should put ...
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Stanhope relates differently with different people. In this play there are not two people he connects with in the same way. Stanhope's relationship with Mason is either purely work related or quite humorous which adds a light relief to the play. Mason seems to know that at the beginning of the scene tension is high and he must do all that he can not to irritate Stanhope in anyway, therefore just agrees with most things that are said. However Stanhope does make an effort on page 95 to put Mason at ease by suggesting that Mason should put a rare kind of upper class pate into the sandwiches. This of course is ridiculous as it would not be possible, but it is also funny because Mason has not understood the question. This defines the difference in ranking and class between the two characters as well as easing the tension momentarily. Throughout the beginning of the scene Mason keeps coming in and out of the kitchen dug out as though he is not only trying to keep busy but stay out of the way so as not to be disagreeable.
Throughout the play, the relationship between Stanhope and Raleigh has constantly been changing, mainly due to the consumption of alcohol on Stanhope's part. It would be true to say that in this scene their lack of conversation and interaction was expected. Although unsure of how Stanhope would react, Raleigh tries to make an effort by initiating a conversation, but Stanhope refuses and dismisses him to the trenches without making eye contact, just as he would with any other officer. The shortness of this conversation annoys the audience, as they know Raleigh must need reassurance, being his first battle. However they sympathise with Stanhope because of the colossal strain that he is currently under. The audience empathises with Raleigh as he does his duty with no fuss or hesitation. It relates with the idea of heroism and innocence that is shown in Raleigh's character throughout the play.
Hibbert and Stanhope have an odd relationship. They both experience tremendous problems at war and possess equal fears, yet they confront them in different ways. While Stanhope turns to alcohol to ease the pain and forget his situation, Hibbert impersonates an ill officer in the hope that he will be granted leave. Stanhope has a strong sense of pride and will not allow any of his officers to pull out of the company without a substantiated reason. This is where the tension between these two characters occurs.
In Act three Scene three Hibbert is the last of the officers that Stanhope talks to before the death of Raleigh. Once again, Hibbert, frightened at the thought of war and death, mimics a tired and unwell state, which Stanhope refuses to believe. As much as Stanhope tries to encourage Hibbert to move faster and more willingly, it ceases to work as Hibbert finds endless distractions to delay his entrance to the battlefield. Stanhope uses guilt to persuade Hibbert, which presses on the idea of comradeship.
During their conversation "stretcher bearers" is heard, informing the audience that somebody or people have been injured. Not only is the audience now concerned, but also annoyed at Hibbert who is selfishly keeping Stanhope waiting and reducing the number of men who are fighting. The stage directions tell us that Stanhope really wants and need to be out of the dug out and helping as he continually looks at the exit almost as if to hint to Hibbert. The tension in the dug out is now very high due to the sounds coming from outside. There seems to be a lot of commotion, this makes the audience feel uneasy. Eventually the tension is broken in the scene by Mason who wishes to go into the trenches with Hibbert as he is not familiar with the surroundings. This gives Hibbert no option and is forced to leave.
The private soldier that comes down from the trench above is out of breath and excited. He informs Stanhope about the attack and who has been hit. The soldier has rushed to the dug out, showing that there is chaos outside, emphasised by the repeated thuds, crashes of bombs and gunfire. The soldier is obviously reluctant to rejoin the fighting as he makes his way up the steps to the trenches slower than when he came down them.
As the soldier leaves the sergeant major enters, he too being very out of breath. The comings and goings of so many characters, causes a build in tension in the small dug out, in turn making the audience feel excited and nervous. He informs Stanhope that only Corporal Ross has been hit and that the attack is very much in full flow. The pace of their conversation is very fast, displaying to the audience a definite sense of urgency. It also shows the nervousness of the two characters. Stanhope checks that there has only been one injury so far, showing his concern and comradeship between fellow officers and men. Comradeship is a theme carried throughout the play mainly upon Stanhope's shoulders. He believes in helping others in battle, encouraging soldiers to do their best and most of all, not letting the company down.
When the words "stretcher bearers" are shouted for the second time, Stanhope and the Sergeant major look at each other as if they know what is running through each other's mind. This shows to the audience that both characters are expecting the worst, therefore so must they. The Sergeant major goes into the trenches to find out who has been hit whilst Stanhope prepares himself for battle. The sound of gunfire and shells is horrific. The tension mounts as the audience waits to see if the Sergeant major returns and if so with what news. He does return, Stanhope immediately turns to see what is wrong, showing true compassion for his colleagues.
When the sergeant major tells Stanhope that it is Raleigh who has been hit, Stanhope is shocked and requests that he be brought into the dug out. The sergeant fights off this action, but Stanhope makes it an order and so the sergeant agrees. At this point in the scene, although the audience is worried for Raleigh, they are reconciled by Stanhope's change in treatment towards him. Any other soldier would indeed not be brought down to the captain's dug out.
We as the audience are reminded of the battle transpiring in the trenches, when the sergeant major leaves only to be greeted by a shell that lands and bursts very near. The sergeant tries to defend himself with his hand, which of course could not ward off hot flying pieces of shell. This makes the audience realise how powerless and unprotected all of the men are, and also how the risk of death is extremely high.
Stanhope prepares Osborne's (a character who died previously in the play) bed which has not been lead on since his death. It resembles that their relationship problems have been resolved and that Stanhope is truly concerned for Raleigh. It may also represent death as the person who last lay on this bed died, the audience want to know if Raleigh will die. When the sergeant major lays Raleigh down and shows the audience the blood on his hands, they are shocked and are lead to believe that Raleigh may die.
Stanhope once again shows his compassion for Raleigh by insisting that stretcher bearers risk their lives in order to ensure Raleigh is taken to a secure location.
The sergeant major leaves and Raleigh wakes up. For the first time in the play they speak on first name terms, signifying that the tension between them has finally broken and they are back to their original relationship. However the audience are now asking the question 'is it all too late?'. It is obvious by the way that Raleigh speaks that he is confused and in a lot of pain. He tries to dismiss it and pretend that he is fit but cannot. In this part of the scene Stanhope acts as a father figure, constantly comforting and reassuring, whilst Raleigh is like a little boy who wants to play football. Raleigh just wants to get out there and not let the side down, representing the idea of heroism. It is a total contrast from the behaviour of Hibbert, who in this situation would have been thankful for an injury that was maybe not so fatal. These two extremes of behaviour show the audience what an innocent and good-hearted person Raleigh is leading the audience to want him to live. Most of all the audience admire and respect Raleigh for his lack of fear and huge amount of courage.
The death of Raleigh seems very unjust in the audience's eyes, as they have grown to know him, sympathise with him and admire him for the duration of the play. They feel that it should be Hibbert, a non-co-operative officer, afraid to fight and who lets the company down, lying on the bed instead of Raleigh.
Stanhope is shocked by Raleigh's death. For the next few minutes of the scene Stanhope sits in a daze, maybe also thinking of the injustice in the world and asking him self what point is there to carry on. Unlike before Raleigh's death, Stanhope is reluctant to receive news from the returning private soldier, and does his duty with no oomph. The audience understands Stanhope's pain as they feel they knew Raleigh as well as he did, but the change in character deepens the pain of the audience.
The only good thing that has resulted from Raleigh's death is the relationship between him and Stanhope. The audience is annoyed that it has taken such drastic measures to bring the two characters together. As Stanhope leaves the dug out the candle is stabbed out by a shock of a falling shell. The dying of this light may represent the life inside Raleigh, which is now gone but may also represent the fire inside of Stanhope, his will to carry on.
At the end of the play the dug out collapses, closing the play and making the death of Raleigh final. At this point the audience are feeling all kinds of emotions. The are sad due to the death of Raleigh, they are annoyed at war itself for being so unjust and they sympathise with Stanhope as he has just lost a dear friend. The audience are left wondering if Stanhope will cope with Raleigh's death and whether he will continue in the same previous manner. They want to know why Trotter requested Stanhope, how the battle ends and they wish to know who survives and who dies.
I think the end of the play is very successful. It has a definite ending yet leaves the audience asking questions, which they are eager to know the answers to. It also leaves the ending quite open. This allows the audience's minds to wander, permitting the, to make the story end their own.
I think that most of all R.C.Sherriff was trying to convey that war is not just fighting for your country. That it is about working successfully with others in one big machine. If the parts of that machine do not work together then it will break down. He also wanted to portray the absolute horror and injustice that war has to offer. He does this extremely successfully as he makes the audience feel encapsulated in the whole experience of war. Even though he is telling them what it is like, he leaves freedom for them to develop their own view on it.
Overall, I think that R.C.Sherriff was trying to say that the human side of war is futile. Nobody wins, a lot of people die without accomplishing a great deal, and from whatever angle you chose to look at it, the whole idea is pointless, causing more pain than is necessary. Should all this commotion be vital, just to gain another thirty metres, which will most probably be return to the rightful owner in due time anyway?
Emma Lerway
English Coursework 2003
