Firstly, Raleigh has characteristics that are totally opposite of Stanhope. Stanhope is extremely experienced as he has got his “M.C” and is the Captain of the Regiment. In contrast, Raleigh is a novice that is just “getting used it” referring to the trench life. Raleigh is also an officer that is not at all aware of the hierarchy system in the army and treats all the men equally. However, Stanhope is very sensitive towards the hierarchy system and even scolds Raleigh about not taking into note on the hierarchy system. Secondly, Raleigh’s character clashes with that of Hibbert. Raleigh finds the raid, “frightfully exciting” and he looks forward to it unlike that of Hibbert who wants to “wriggle home” by complaining of “neuralgia in the eye”. Raleigh also feels “rotten” when he gets hurt. This proves that Hibbert is a coward but Raleigh is an extremely courageous and brave person. Lastly, Raleigh can be compared in contrast with the colonel. The colonel feels very unsentimental about Osborne’s death. Although he feels quite sad, he quickly recovers with the enthusiasm he obtained through the German’s pay-book.
Raleigh is also very respectful. Raleigh addresses Osborne as sir, unlike Hardy, who calls Osborne and “as”. Furthermore, unlike Stanhope who is very rank conscious, Raleigh treats everyone as his equals and even had dinner with them when an even better one was waiting for him in the trench. Despite the anger and anguish that Stanhope unleashed on Raleigh, he still carries out the duties that Stanhope asked him to do, a sign of respect and obedience. This shows that Raleigh is a very respectful person.
Raleigh is a symbol of courage and bravery in Journey’s End. Even though Raleigh is new to the war, he is willing to join the raid and is enthusiastic about it. Moreover, he bravely joins the soldiers that were defending from the Germans unlike Hibbert, who is unwilling to leave the trench and onto the battlefield. Even when Osborne dies, he decides not to give up but to rather face the realities of war, showing his normal courage. He decides to fight his way all the way to the end. Therefore, this shows that Raleigh is ready to face any danger as an officer in the army depicting his courage and bravery.
Raleigh’s character is also the most “dynamic” character in the play. He evolves rapidly throughout the play. Initially, Raleigh seems to be novice and seems to be young and as “fresh as a daisy”. He “is just out from England”. He is totally new to the war scene and is gradually increasing his knowledge about trench warfare. Osborne acts as his mentor by telling him to address him “as sir in front of men only”. Raleigh also views everything to be very “strange". However, Raleigh knows of all these things in a very short time which show his character is evolving. Unlike the nice and “energetic” person Stanhope used to be, Raleigh witnesses a new Stanhope who is depressed, unfair, and extremely discontented with Raleigh’s presence. Raleigh also thought that war would be very vibrant, action-packed and chaotic but he figured out that war is “uncanny”, “odd” and its “frightful” quietness of the battle scene. He also found out that many Germans are actually unwilling to fight, which he noticed when the Germans allow the shot soldiers to be carried out of the no man’s land, though which Raleigh also witnesses the foolishness of war. Raleigh has therefore changed from a novice to an extremely experienced soldier, proving himself to be a dynamic character.
R.C. Sherriff has utilized Raleigh to show a variety of contrasts between characters. He also used Raleigh to portray the reality of war, about the frightful quietness of war. He also utilized Raleigh to show how a new officer to a war feels upon joining the army and how they evolve from a novice and inexperienced soldier to an experienced and matured soldier. Therefore, Raleigh is proven to be a “round” and “dynamic” character as well as a supporting character that moves the plot forward. He is also used as a benchmark of comparison between himself and other characters. Therefore, the character of Raleigh is vital to the play.ii
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References:
- Journey’s End by R.C. Sherriff