Once again we sympathise with Raleigh whilst in the argument with Stanhope, over his letter. Raleigh tries to reason with the frustrated Stanhope – “Dennis – I’m –“, but instead of speaking calmly, Stanhope becomes patronising, “Don’t Dennis me! Stanhope’s my name! You’re not at school! Go inspect your rifles!” Raleigh is shocked and “stares wide eyed at Stanhope”. We feel sympathy for Raleigh because we realised how embarrassed and lost he must feel. Even more sympathy is felt when Raleigh has to give Stanhope the letter and the “goes quietly up the narrow steps”.
More sympathy is directed towards Raleigh after Stanhope tells him of who is to go on the raid. “Just you and me, isn’t it – and ten men? … It’s most frightfully exciting!” We feel sympathy for Raleigh because his naivety is portrayed. We know that the raid could have disastrous effects however Raleigh just thinks the raid is some sort of adventure, and therefore sympathy is created because of Raleigh’s little experience of war.
Raleigh receives more sympathy when he arrives back from the raid. We know that Osborne will not be returning due to his unfortunate death. Raleigh enters “slowly down the steps” letting us know that he is affected by Osborne’s death. Raleigh is in shock, he ‘tries to speak’ but is unable to, and he ‘raises his hand to his forehead and sways.’ Sympathy is directed at Raleigh because we know he has just encounter a terrible situation.
Even more sympathy is directed towards Raleigh after the raid. As a devastated Raleigh sits on Osborne’s bed, Stanhope ‘moves slowly across towards the doorway and pauses to look down at Raleigh.’ Stanhope’s voice is ‘expressionless and dead’ and he coldly asks Raleigh – “Must you sit on Osborne’s bed?” We sympathise with Raleigh because we expected Stanhope to offer some words of comfort instead of being bitterly cold and insensitive towards the young officer. We also feel sympathise with Raleigh when he ‘rises unsteadily, murmurs “sorry” and stands wither a lowered head.’ We feel sympathetic towards Raleigh because we know he’s lost and needs Stanhope more than ever.
We sympathise with Raleigh for the last time in the final scene. The big attack has arrived and Raleigh has been hit. Raleigh is carried into the dug-out, and Stanhope is there to help. As the old friends quietly try to keep the moral high, Raleigh believes “something – hit [him] in the back – knocked [him] clean of – sort of – winded [him]” Truthfully, Stanhope and us know that Raleigh’s spine is broke and he “can’t move ‘is legs.” We sympathise with Raleigh because his shows how courageous he is, even if he’s been hit badly. Raleigh tries to remain hopeful that his injury isn’t serious, and ‘tries to raise himself and gives a sudden cry “Oh – God! It does hurt!” We are sympathetic towards Raleigh because he now knows it’s a serious injury. Tiny sounds “comes from where Raleigh is lying”, we now are aware Raleigh isn’t going to be alive for much longer. Raleigh’s brave efforts in trying to stay awake and carrying on his duties in the war make us feel more sympathy towards him.
Therefore we feel most sympathetic towards Raleigh because throughout the play, he has faced many situations which included bitter orders and naïve excitement, but still he manages to remain courageous and strong until the very end.
