Throughout this scene, Sherrif employs different strategies, for example the use of broken sentences, to express Hibbert’s physical and emotional response to war. Most of Hibberts sentences are broken up and end with dashes, this is meant to show that he is very nervous, afraid and just needs to get out, for example; “It’s all so – so beastly – nothing matters” he is obviously giving up on life he doesn’t care what happens as long as he gets out of there, he is scared, scared of war and the mission he will probably wont come back. This is not just Hibbert this play is trying to explore the typical responses of the soldiers that go to war – not just Hibbert and Stanhope.
Another character explored in this scene is Stanhope, but this time Sherrif makes use of italics to show that the characters are alive and it’s not all set in one place, trying to get a feel of where there are into the readers mind, the kind of situations they face and the experience of going to war. For example when Stanhope is getting a glass of whisky instead of getting one of the actors to say something e.g. “Oh not another glass Stanhope”. The righter use’s italics Stanhope is pouring himself another glass of whisky. Again trying to get an image of war into the reader’s mind of how the soldiers are resorting to having another glass of whisky, as the depression leads on.
Act 2, Scene 2 demonstrates the full extent to which Hibbert has fallen as he seems incapable of finishing off a sentence. This is in contrast to our initial impression of his character, portrayed in Act 1. In the first conversation he has with Stanhope he is very on the ball, he try’s and try’s to get out of the trench using many excuses, he complains that he is ill and can handle any supper, then goes straight to bed. At this point in time Stanhope doesn’t know this man at all and describes him as “Another little worm trying to wriggle home”. Osborne has fallen for it and replies saying that he does look quite ill, but Stanhope’s not having any of it. Stanhope is going to have a word with the doctor to stop him going home.
Then in Act 2, Scene 2, Hibbert tries again still with the same gag but this time he is determined to go and see the doctor, Stanhope will not let him go because he knows he will be sent right back. When he explains this is Hibbert he try’s to run for it, hitting Stanhope as he try’s to pass. Stanhope grabs him and takes hold of his revolver. Hibbert stands quivering in front of Stanhope. Stanhope: “I won’t have you shot for that---“. Hibbert still wants to go, Stanhope explains to him if he leaves he would have to shoot him for deserting; he gives him half a minute to think. Stanhope starts counting down, gets to five and Hibbert says that he won’t go back to those trenches, and then shouts “Shoot, I’m ready shoot”. Stanhope didn’t, he gained a lot of respect for Hibbert for willing to be shot rather than go back to those terrible trenches.
This is were Stanhope explains that he feels the same, the hate of war, the hate of the sounds and not being able to sleep at night, how it has drove him to drink but he is still fighting. Stanhope explains to Hibbert that he would not be able to look another man in the eye all his life, without remembering how he left his fellow soldiers, Osborne, Trotter and Raleigh fighting out there alone. He carry’s on to say that Hibbert may get wounded but can at least go home to his children and wife proud of himself and if he is killed he won’t have to stand this hell anymore. Hibbert is crying and just manages to pull himself together “I’ll – I’ll try” he replies. Stanhope gets a lot of respect for Hibbert for being a man and fighting.
However Hibbert is still down in the dumps he cannot finish a sentence, where as in Act 1, he can bare it and is really in a good mood. From that to being prepared to get shot by his Sergeant Major rather than go back to the trench.
The character of Raleigh – has a romantic and idealised notion of war. He is very enthusiastic in comparison to Stanhope and Hibbert. This is shown though the use of stage directions. In Act 1, Scene 1, Raleigh is very quite surprised about how quiet the trenches are. He is about 50 yards away from the front line and cannot believe there is a war going on with it being so quiet. Raleigh is also fascinated about trenches and how they run on over miles of land. Raleigh has kept up the good mood for Act 2 as well he starts having a conversation with Osborne about Rugger.
Conclusion (in order)
I personally believe the play is quiet fun to read, there are some parts were I loose interest and would like to move on to a more exciting part, I think that Sherrif did a very good job of expressing the emotions of the character and I feel for them and can only imagine what the soldiers today are going though. I can pick up on the attitudes of all the different characters very quickly and when they change due to the poor conditions it is quiet quick to notice. Overall I enjoy reading this play and think that Serrif has done a great job.
