Stanhope won't back down and tells Hibbert

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HIBBERT

one of the most shocking and suspending scenes occurs between Stanhope and Hibbert, still complaining vigilantly of his neuralgia. Hibbert complains and asks to be relieved on grounds of sickness, Stanhope simply claims he is suffering from the same symptoms. Stunned, Hibbert carries on and speaks of the doctor sending him home anyway. Stanhope ensures the Hibbert knows that he's dealt with the doctor, "I saw him this morning. He won't send you to hospital; he'll send you back here. He promised me he would", he assures. Hibbert becomes agitated and argues with Stanhope. Stanhope won't back down and tells Hibbert "You're going to stay here and see it through with the rest of us". Hibbert begins to plead with the man and attempts to pass him by. Both men are now raging and Hibbert asks "I shall die of the pain if I don't go" and is responded to with "Better dir of pain than be shot for deserting". There is an uneasy tone in Stanhope's voice and the two men continue the bawling match. Eventually Hibbert loses his wit when he is pushed by the other man. He strikes at Stanhope with a stick, who catches the stick and breaks it on his knees". "God! - You little swine. You know what that means-don't you? Striking a superior officer!" Stanhope cries and trains his revolver on Hibbert, who stands quivering but still, argues. Stanhope gives him just half a minute to think, a long half a minute at that. Stanhope threatens to cause an 'accident' involving his revolver and Hibbert. The suspense and tension peaks before the men breaks down onto his knees and cries like a sick child. Hibbert explains how he feels. "I feel the same-exactly the same!" Stanhope, his friend, offers. "We know how bad we both feel now. Shall we see if we can stick it together?" he carries on in a brotherly fashion, once again showing comradeship. The idea of inner conflict is brought up here. Both Hibbert and Stanhope have to fight themselves in order to carry on, especially Stanhope, who doesn't know if he wants to die, to live, to go home, to get drunk, to stay for ever or whatever. He is fighting a constant battle with his mind. The trenches have warped him into their own creature, ad twisting, deep and dark as they are. In fact every man in that trench has to fight his inner fears every day just to survive. All of this conflict creates a very engaging mixture for the audience and keeps them fascinated. Stanhope reasons with Hibbert, who finally agrees to go back onto the front line.  

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They start to disagree with everything when Stanhope cant take anymore and takes hold of his revolver. This scene supports how Hibbert is portrayed because it shows that he can make up different excuses about why he does not want to go out on the front line. It shows that he does not think the war should be going on, or that he thinks that he should not be fighting at war in this way. This is because he can not face going out on the front line and possibly killing people. The scene shows that Hibberts character is full ...

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