20th Century Drama - Journey's End, R C Sheriff

20th Century Drama - Journey's End, R C Sheriff Thomas Robson 30/10/2001 The play, Journey's End, was written by R C Sheriff just ten years after the First World War in 1929. The play is set in a single dark, damp dugout amongst a front line trench, which has probably been chosen to give a very claustrophobic outlook to the entire piece. All of the events occur throughout just four short days, which I think is purposely tight in order to add tension and to show the futility of the war, how a whole company of men could be wiped out within a few short days. The script is based mainly on the relationships, situation and most importantly the conflict which occurs between men in the trenches. The inner conflict of the characters is also a principal feature of the script and adds physiological weight to the play, perhaps playing on the audiences' own experiences with inner conflict. There are four primary characters. These are the officers, all of whom have attended public school and are of higher social and military rank to the 'men'. Sheriff often emphasises the partition and stringent class system amongst the trenches and England at that time by describing the characters as 'the officers' or 'the men'. I believe that he has kept the number of central characters in the play and places them all within a single setting to create a magnifying glass effect, focussing on the

  • Word count: 6448
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Journeys End Drama Studies

Annie Gott By close analysis of key scenes in "Journey's End" outline and evaluate the ways in which R.C.Sherriff creates and maintains dramatic tension in this play Journeys End is a play that creates a lot of dramatic tension throughout it, and there are several ways in which the author, R.C.Sheriff, creates and maintains tension. Not only is tension created by the characters on stage, but also by various techniques including the lighting, sound and stage directions. I understand dramatic tension as the art of making the audience interested in the play that's going them on and keeping them enthralled with the story line. It is when the playwright has the ability to keep the story line fast and exciting as to keep the readers attention in the play. It makes the audience sit on the edge of their seats, eager to know what is taking place on stage. Tension is created with the general feeling of not knowing what is going to happen and not knowing characters reactions. I am also going to be writing about the context of the play. This is the background or setting of the time the piece of work was created. This will affect the content and also the values that are expressed. Before the play starts, there is a large section of stage directions which set the scene for the play. The lightning on the stage is very dim and it is very dark. This adds tension as; if we refer to the

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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In what ways does R.C.Sherriff re-create for his audience the tremendous stress and fear suffered by men at the front line

In what ways does R.C.Sherriff re-create for his audience the tremendous stress and fear suffered by men at the front line in World War I? World war I broke out in 1914 and lasted until 1918 when the armistice was signed. Throughout this period great destruction was suffered across the world and in particular in 1918 when the German army was preparing a massive attack against the allies. 'Journey's End' was written by R.C.Sherriff in 1928. It is set in the British trenches a few days before the expected attack and Sherriff re-creates the moments leading up to it. This drama is based upon Sherriff's real-life experiences as he himself was a captain of the East-Surrey regiment and played a part in the First World War. Sherriff's understanding of the relationships between men and the morale of soldiers living in the confines of the trenches are portrayed through the characters features in the play. Sherriff's purpose when writing the play may have been to celebrate the ten year anniversary as there were floods of memoirs, poems and reminiscences coming out around this time, however he may have more importantly wanted to ensure that war doesn't break out again by illustrating the pain and hopelessness he endured at was to convince his audience. 'Journey's End' gives the reader/audience a clear insight into the reality of life at war and explores the harsh conditions

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Journey's End

Connor Gallagher Heysham High School Centre No: 46127 October 08 GCSE English Literature Drama Text: Journey's End How does the playwright, R. C. Sherriff, attempt to convey the reality of the Great War and its effect on the men who fought in it, in the drama "Journey's End"? Life in 1918 was very different to the life we lead now. When a war occurs today we are fully updated by news reporters via media devices such as television and the internet. We know what is occurring in war zones day and night. However, during the Great War, only selected information was ever given to the general public. It was a war of propaganda. Only positive news about Britain's participation in the war was ever given to the indigenous society. Playwright R.C. Sherriff thought he should write about his real-life experiences in the war. He was an ex-soldier who was wounded in the battle of Passchendaele. He wanted the public to understand what the war was really like. How he and his comrades lived and fought in the war. It was a metaphorical mirror to his time throughout the war. The play "Journey's End" was first produced by the Incorporated Stage Society at the Apollo Theatre, London, on 9th December 1928. It was turned down by most theatre managers in London for the reason that they thought the public didn't want to hear about the war or they felt a play without women wouldn't be popular.

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Act one of Journey's End.

Characters Capt. Denis Stanhope Second Lieutenant Raleigh Lt. Osborne Second Lt. Hibbert Company Sergeant Major Private Mason The Colonel Introduction Synopsis: - Journey's End is about life in the trenches during World War One, and about the depressing one by one, soldiers go 'over the top' and meet with death routine. The endless spectacle of death has taken its affect on Captain Stanhope; psychologically scarred he becomes an alcoholic to ease the pain and guilt of sending more young men to die. The captain senses his second in command, Lt. Osborne, is beginning to doubt his competence, and Stanhope must maintain his troops respect for him until his replacement arrives. But tensions run high when a new officer, Second Lieutenant Raleigh, joins Captain Stanhope's company behind British lines in France in 1918. The two men knew each other at school, but after three years on the front, Stanhope is a changed man. On the eve of a big German attack, Lieutenant Osborne desperately tries to keep Stanhope from cracking, as he is seen talking to himself and his alcoholism has seen him deteriorate over three years, and it has now come to a point when Stanhope "can't bear being conscious all the time" and that "if I went up those steps into the front line, without being doped up with whiskey, I'd go mad with fright" In This essay I am going make points, give quotes and

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  • Level: GCSE
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Comparison of Ballad of the Bread Man and Innocents Song by Charles Causley and Journey of the Magi by T. S. Eliot

Comparison of "Ballad of the Bread Man" and "Innocent's Song" by Charles Causley and "Journey of the Magi" by T. S. Eliot The subject matter of "Ballad of the Bread Man" is the religious story of the birth, life and death of Jesus. It has all the main events of the traditional story but it is done in a modern style. The meaning of the story remains but most of the particulars have changed. For instance in the poem a "bishop", "five start general", and a "head of an African country" represent the kings. Charles Causley has bought the story up to date so it appeals to people living today, especially younger people. Children might not understand the Bible version of the story so Charles Causley has made it more accessible and understandable for them. The poem is divided into twenty stanzas with four lines in each. There is a strict rhyming scheme that applies to the entire poem with no exceptions. In every stanza the last word on the second and fourth lines rhyme, for instance "bread" and "said" in the first stanza. There is a simple rhythm present, and it is very repetitive and familiar. The reason why the poem is so regimented with its structure, rhyme and rhythm is because it is a "Ballad" as it says in the title. The title "Ballad of the Bread Man" is very important. Ballads are very ancient poems that tell a story. Most ballads have a simple and recognisable form,

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Journey's End: R.C Sherriff uses the characters in his play Journey's End to create tension and drama.

Journey's End R.C Sherriff uses the characters in his play Journey's End to create tension and drama. In the opening scene Sherriff uses Osborne, an elderly man who is second in command of the company that's coming on duty, and Hardy, the captain of the company that is coming off duty, to set the scene. Hardy starts to do this when pointing out features on a map of the front line, "Here we are, we hold two hundred yards of front line. We have a lewis gun here and one in this little sap here and sentry posts where the crosses are". Sherriff also uses Hardy and Osborne to give an insight into the character, Stanhope's, personality and to describe the living conditions in the front line. He first does this by using the stage directions at the beginning of the play ' CAPTAIN HARDY, a red-faced, cheerful looking man is sitting on a box by the table, instantly drying a sock over a candle-flame, this gives a first impression of the trenches and dugouts being cold and wet. Sherriff then takes this description further when Hardy says "Excuse my sock, won't you... Guaranteed to keep the feet dry, trouble is it keeps getting wet doing it." The living conditions are then further described as poor. When Hardy offer Osborne a drink of whisky but warns him " Don't have too much water it's rather strong today", this gives the indication that the water is unsafe and has to be disinfected.

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Journeys End

Jonathan Carver 11Na Mrs Swift English Journeys End is set in the First World War. It is written by R C Sheriff who was a soldier in the war. He was wounded in the battle of Passchendale in 1917 so knows what it is like being in the army in the middle of a war. There are not many characters in this play but almost all have a large part in the play. The play 'Journeys End' was first performed on stage in 1928 with Laurence Olivier acting the role of the Commander, Stanhope. It was such a success that by 1929 there were fourteen companies performing the play. This was just in England! The play starts off with the C Company commanded by Stanhope getting ready to face an onslaught by the German army. There are five officers in the trench who are getting ready to face the biggest battle of their lives. They are Mason, Raleigh, Osborne, Trotter Hibbert and Hardy. This play tells us about many things that happen to people when they are at war. During this play you can see the differences in the characters start to grow especially Raleigh. However, this is only because he just came into the army. He is the youngest and the least experienced. The others had already been the army for a while before the story started. The play starts with Hardy sounding really cheery. He is singing a song, obviously trying to get his mind off the events happening and the constant

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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"The impact of journeys is felt by both individuals and the group. No-one can escape the impact of a journey". Discuss

The arrival was rewarding but the journey was transforming An individual embarks upon a journey felt by the world An individual reflects, the world journeys and is impacted Achievement v. transformation The arrival is merely a destination, the journey if a lifetime Physical Journey: Belinda Aspinall "The impact of journeys is felt by both individuals and the group. No-one can escape the impact of a journey". Discuss with reference to your prescribed text (3 poems), one text from the stimulus booklet and other related material (2 pieces). Physical journeys are presented within the prescribed text as a means of achieving fulfilment and of actively embracing life. A journey can be a concept. A journey can be an epic. A journey can be based on historical or legendary material. Physical journeys usually take on a heroic dimension. These journeys are enabling and ennobling. However, no matter what the journey is or how it is portrayed it does provide opportunities and challenges, which impact the traveller and their surroundings. Hence, "The impact of journeys is felt by both individuals and the group. No-one can escape the impact of a journey". Peter Skrzynecki's Postcard, A Drive in the Country and Leaving Home are all examples of a physical journey, that are illustrated through poems and which help shape our perception of challenges and movement in relation to the

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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JOURNEY'S END - The Changing Relationship Between Stanhope and Raleigh

JOURNEY'S END - The Changing Relationship Between Stanhope and Raleigh Journey's End is a well received play written in 1928, by R.C Sherriff. The play is set in a trench system, which were used during most of the Great War. In the play we get an insight into a fascinating relationship between a Junior officer, Raleigh, and the commanding officer, Stanhope. The relationship shows us some effects of the war and it has many ups and down which are well portrayed. During this essay I will comment about the ever changing relationship between young Raleigh and Stanhope. Commanding officer Stanhope is the company commander and is therefore under constant pressure, as he had to make tactical decisions and is also responsible for the welfare for a number of officers. Stanhope is considered as one of the best infantry commanders, ' He's a long way the best company commander we've got', Osborne (Pg 4). Stanhope forms a strong bond the officers, he is seen as hard working and passionate, 'His commanded this company for a year - in and out of the front line. He's never had a rest. Other men come over here and go home again ill, young Stanhope goes on sticking it, mouth in, mouth out', Osborne (pg6). Stanhope particularly forms a strong bond with Officer Osborne, Stanhope has been involved in war activities since the war started and we see that during this time Stanhope has grown a close

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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