Afterwards, Stanhope implies that Raleigh is a slow person when he says “I thought you’d have the common sense to leave the men alone to their meals”, again, belittling Raleigh to assert his authority. Stanhope says that Raleigh is making the officers look like the laughing stock – “My officers are here to be respected – not laughed at” – again, implying that Raleigh is trying to sabotage the company. Raleigh stops being meek and starts questioning Stanhope, however, Stanhope thinks Raleigh is trying to be smart “So you know more about my men than I do?”; this is a very tense moment accentuated by the silence in the background. Raleigh faces Stanhope squarely, showing that he isn’t intimidated by Stanhope; he further displays this by saying “I’m sorry then – if I was wrong” – the conditional clause indicates that the apology isn’t sincere. Stanhope is not in control when he shouts an order to Raleigh to sit; this position, with Stanhope towering over Raleigh, gives Stanhope an intimidating air and power over Raleigh. Stanhope is shown to be in control again when he speaks quietly. Raleigh is outraged when Stanhope says that he is lying – this is shown when Raleigh rises from his sitting position.
Stanhope accuses Raleigh of unlikely and trivial things – “You insulted Trotter and Hibbert by not coming. You realise that, I suppose?”. A few moments later Stanhope’s temper has risen to a trembling fury (he can scarcely control his temper) – “I say – you know now, don’t you?” – this shows that he in barely in control. Another instance of his irrepressible emotions, is when Stanhope’s hand trembles so violently that he can scarcely take the cigar between his teeth. This is further shaken when Stanhope notices that Raleigh is fascinated and terrified by Stanhope – “Anything – funny about me?”. Raleigh approaches Stanhope in a careful manner by speaking in a low halting voice – “I’m awfully sorry, Dennis, if – if I annoyed you by coming to your company”; this question puzzles Stanhope.
Moments later tension increases again when Stanhope shouts in order for Raleigh to obey him – “Are you going to eat your dinner?”. Raleigh replies in a breaking voice that he cannot bear to eat while Osbourne lying out on the battleground and dead – he knows that Osbourne will never eat again. Stanhope is outraged by this – he cannot believe that Raleigh thinks he doesn’t care about Osbourne’s death. Stanhope is fighting for control – he is rising slowly, his eyes are wide and staring, he is fighting for breath and his words come brokenly. Stanhope explains that the reason for his drinking and smoking is to forget – “To forget! You think there’s no limit to what a man can bear?”.
In conclusion, Stanhope ultimately didn’t assert authority over Raleigh. When he forces Raleigh to sit, Raleigh later rises; Stanhope tells Raleigh to eat his dinner and the latter refuses. In the end, Stanhope lost control – he wasn’t able to maintain a calm demeanour and frequently shouted in order to assert control.
