Sherriff utilizes Hardy, to show that high commanding officers were not providing proper equipment to the soldiers. “(He gropes among the papers on the table and finds a tattered map)” and “besides they’re (115 rifle grenades) rusty, in any case” shows that the soldiers being provided with tattered maps and rusty equipment, rather than proper maps and equipment. Through Hardy, Sherriff is able to exhibit the high commanding officer’s failures to provide its soldiers.
Using Hardy’s character, Sherriff creates an impression that not all commanding officers are stereotypical. “I don’t know. The sergeant-major sees to that” shows Hardy’s lack of knowledge and sympathy for his men. “A dug out got blown up and came down in the men’s tea. They were frightfully annoyed.” Illustrates Hardy’s insensitivity and flippant views, by making gallous jokes about his men who were blown up. In the character of Hardy, Sherriff incarnates that not all officers are as sympathetic and serious as one might expect an officer to be.
Sherriff creates an imagery of insensitivity, self-centeredness, tension and lack of sympathy amongst fellow officers. Hardy shows insensitivity towards a fellow officer by intentionally stating “You’ll get it- right in the neck.” Suggesting that that fellow officer will be killed. “That’s mine. The ones in the other dug-out haven’t got any bottoms to them” shows Hardy’s self-centered attitude amongst other officers, by selecting the best bed and not regarding other officer’s conditions. “How is the dear boy? Drinking like a fish as usual?” shows Hardy’s lack of sympathy and antipathy toward another officer’s alcoholism. Sherriff manages to exemplify the lack of sympathy, selfishness and tension amongst officers.
Sherriff has successfully conveyed the fact that one’s rank in experience and age does not determine the rank one is placed, but rather the social status one has in the outside world. Hardy’s character is shown to be flippant, unsympathetic and selfish toward his men and other fellow officers, but yet he outranks Osborn’s character, which is more sympathetic and serious. By comparing Hardy’s character and Osborne’s character Sherriff has managed to exhibit that one’s rank in experience and age really does not determine the position one is placed in.
Sherriff witnessed the horrific realities of the First World War, and he portrayed the War he saw in his novel. Characters in the novel such as Hardy, manages to successfully exhibit parts of the horrifying and shocking truths of the war to the audience.
