In contrast to this there are two characters in the play that are nothing but cheery all the way through, despite the unexpected attack and the whole depressing status of living in the trenches. These are Private Mason and Trotter. They are both from a working class background, as it is viewed in their speech, and they both display the cheerful, brash type of stereotype that many people pictured during the war. This is a sharp contrast to Hibbert and even Stanhope who are both from upper class, noveaux riche backgrounds and who struggle to handle the pressures of the war. They admit this fact to each other in an argument between the two when Hibbert tries to go to the hospital pretending that he has neuralgia. They both admit, at this point, how they cannot handle the pressure of the war and how they are both scared. Stanhope deals with this by drinking, and trying not to show emotion to anyone apart from Osborne who he says is the only man he could talk to “man to man”.
In the final part of the scene we see how the relationship between Stanhope and Raleigh is more that just professional. As Stanhope hears news of men getting wounded, he acts calmly and plans the best course of action to help them, but when he hears of Raleigh’s injuring he is affected by his friendship with Raleigh.
Also in this scene we see Stanhope call Raleigh by his Christian name for the first time in the play this shows us how the two are more than comrades in arms, they are friends. This is carried through to the conversation they have while Raleigh is on what turns out to be his deathbed. There are many awkward pauses as Stanhope is obviously uncomfortable in that sort of situation. He tries to break the silences by getting up at every available opportunity to get Raleigh tea, water etc.
Coming to the end in the scene we see “the rosy red glow of the Very lights deepen to an angry red colour”. This is to prepare us for the impact of what happens next, and also it represents the anger felt by Stanhope when Raleigh dies. When Stanhope gets no reply from Raleigh it is apparent that he is dead. This strikes stanhope and he sits down and does not move. It takes the soldier two attempts to get Stanhope attention.
At the end of the play Sherriff leaves it to the audiences imagination about what happens to the rest of the company, not telling us if they live or die. This is a fully dramatic ending, in keeping with the rest of the play in which much is left to the imagination of the audience, and drawing conclusions.
Finally, when you read the play you are left with an impression that war is dreadful and terrifying. Additionally, the play also shows how death was like when you could loose your intimate friend like Stanhope depended on Osborne and suddenly he died, in futility. Lastly, in my view, I feel Stanhope is a hero.
