Act 1 - Journey's End

Question 1

The Scene

“A dugout in the British trenches before St Quentin”

Answer 1

The dugout is underground which shows characteristics of a grave which gives it a sense of imprisonment. St Quentin was a brutal battle with lists of deaths which shows they are trapped in the trenches for life until they die.

Question 2

The Scene

“Low doorway”

Answer 2

dugouts are small and enclosed = claustrophobic.

Question 3

The Scene

“Wire covered bed”

Answer 3

implies that the beds are cramped and confined

Question 4

The Scene

“There is no furniture”

Answer 4

Lack of money

Question 5

“The Earth walls deaden the sounds of war”

The Scene

Answer 5

reminds people of death and that anything could happen during the war. The walls are killing the war which is ironic because it should be the other way around.

Question 6

“Making them faint and far away”

The Scene

Answer 6

isolated and unfamiliar environment

Question 7

“The front line is only fifty yards away”

The Scene

Answer 7

traumatic for the soldiers

Question 8

“Still damp air”

The Scene

Answer 8

unwelcoming. Even the air is trapped, unhealthy and suffocating.

Question 9

“Pale glimmer of moonlight”

Pg9

Answer 9

glimmer shows there isn’t any light coming in which suggests imprisonment and enclosed.

Question 10

“Warm yellow candle”

Pg9

Answer 10

safe and comfortable - contrasts to ‘The Scene’

Question 11

“Misty grey parapet”

Pg9

Answer 11

Misty makes you feel confused and unclear which is similar to war.

Question 12

“Red faced, cheerful looking man”

Pg9

Answer 12

joyful and positive man. Red faced I plies he could be a bit chubby and round - friendly

Question 13

“Drying a sock over a candle flame”

Pg9

Answer 13

because it’s a single candle, it will take longer which he perhaps wants - helps him pass time.

Question 14

“Half sings half hums a song”

Pg9

Answer 14

passes time to divert attention from war - cures boredom.

Question 15

“One and two, it’s with Maud and Lou…”

Pg9

Answer 15

comedic and amusing for himself and the audience.

Question 16

“Finishes with a lively burst”

Pg9

Answer 16

optimistic and upbeat person

Question 17

“Fine head with close cropped, iron grey hair” “Physically as hard as nails”

Pg9

Answer 17

metallic descriptions shows he is old and wise and experience. The simile shows he might not be strong mentally and might be traumatised from war.

Question 18

About forty five”

Pg9

Answer 18

old = wise and experienced

Question 19

“Hullo Osborne!”

Pg9

Answer 19

the exclamation mark shows he is sociable and lively

Question 20

“Some sort of disinfectant I suppose”

Pg10

Answer 20

the doubt shows that there is something wrong with the drink. It is not clean and fresh as it should be it might even harm the soldiers.

Question 21

“All right - all right - I know”

Pg10

Answer 21

Osborne is stern

Question 22

“They simply blew us to bits yesterday”

Pg10

Answer 22

Hardy says it in light hearted and carefree way.

Question 23

“let’s do this handing over. Where’s the
map ?”
Pg11

Answer 23

Wants to stay focused

Question 24

“That’s mine”

Pg11

Answer 24

Best bed -leader- hierarchy

Question 25

I should say — roughly — about two
million
Pg11

Answer 25

Hyperbole - terrible conditions

Question 26

You are a fussy old man

Pg12

Answer 26

Teasing Osborne in a amusing manner - shows he is comedic - italics

Question 27

Drinking
like a fish, as usual ?
Pg12

Answer 27

As it’s natural for a fish to be in water, it’s natural for Stanhope to drink - everyone knows this

Question 28

Well, damn it, it’s just the natural thing to ask about Stanhope.
Pg12

Answer 28

Everyone knows about his drinking - they can relate?

Question 29

Poor old man.

Pg12

Answer 29

Mocking Stanhope

He is not a old man

Question 30

He’s a long way the best company
commander we’ve got.
Pg12

Answer 30

Thinks highly of Stanhope - he is doing his job well

Question 31

Oh, he’s a good chap, I know.

Pg12

Answer 31

Reassuring Osborne - not what he actually thinks

Question 32

I suppose it amused everybody ; I
suppose everybody cheered him on, and said
what a splendid achievement it was.
Pg12

Answer 32

Repetition of “I suppose” shows Osborne’s frustration

Question 33

Well, you can’t help, somehow,
admiring a fellow who can do that — and then
pick out his own hat all by himself and walk
home
Pg12

Answer 33

‘Admiring’ is in italics - shows his sarcasm

Question 34

Well, naturally, you’re biased. You
have to put him to bed when he gets home.
Pg12

Answer 34

Stanhope - youn, immature, needs his parents, not fit for war

Question 35

It rather reminds you of bear-
baiting — or cock-fighting — to sit and watch a
boy drink himself unconscious.
Pg12

Answer 35

Not treated in a humane way - cares about him

Question 36

Well, damn it, it’s pretty dull without
something to liven people up.
Pg13

Answer 36

Thinks of him as a source of entertainment - doesn’t think or care about his feelings. Contrasts to Osborne

Question 37

( laughing ) : Imagine Stanhope spending
his leave in a country vicarage sipping tea !
He spent his last leave in Paris, didn’t he ?
Pg12

Answer 37

Merry + humorous person

Question 38

Do you know how long he’s been
out here ?
Pg13

Answer 38

Sticks up for Stanhope

Question 39

young Stanhope goes on sticking it,
month in, month out.
Pg13

Answer 39

Stanhope works hard - doesn’t aporeaciate Hardy’s thoughts about him

Question 40

Oh, I know he’s a jolly good fellow….Oh, I know ; he’s a splendid chap !
Pg13

Answer 40

Sarcasm

Question 41

And because he’s stuck it till his
nerves have got battered to bits, he is called a
drunkard.
Pg13

Answer 41

Trying to make an excuse for Stanhope- cares for him

Question 42

Not a drunkard ; just a — just a hard
drinker ; but you’re quite right about his
nerves. They are all to blazes. Last time out
resting we were playing bridge and something
happened — I don’t remember what it was ;
some silly little argument — and all of a sudden
he jumped up and knocked all the glasses off
the table ! Lost control of himself ; and then he
— sort of — came to — and cried
Pg13

Answer 42

Hardy - short temper - sudden outburst

Shows Stanhope is unstable because of war. Shows the affect of war on the soldiers

Question 43

He told me.

Pg13

Answer 43

Stanhope tells him everything - fatherly figure. Even bad things such as him crying, trusts Osborne.

Question 44

You know, Osborne,
you ought to be commanding this company.
Pg13

Answer 44

Thinks Osborne is fit for the job and Stanhope isn’t. Both Hardy and Stanhope thinks Osborne is a good guy

Question 45

what a dear, level-headed old thing you are.

Pg14

Answer 45

“Dear” - affectionate manner

“Level headed old thing” - sensible and responsible

Question 46

You don’t know him as I do ; I love
that fellow. I’d go to hell with him.
Pg14

Answer 46

Cares for him - close to him, only a true father would say he would go to hell with him

Question 47

Oh, you sweet, sentimental old
darling !
Pg14

Answer 47

Soft and sensitive

Question 48

No. I shot the rat, you ass.

Pg14

Answer 48

No respect for his elders

Question 49

Why, that earwig. It’s been running
round and round that candle since tea-time ;
must have done a mile.
Pg15

Answer 49

Entrapment - no where else to go - resembles the soldiers

Question 50

Great fun. We’ve had ’em every
evening.
Pg15

Answer 50

Tedious activity - passes time - cures boredom

Question 51

Soldier Servant
“Sir”
Pg15

Answer 51

Junior rank - has respect for his elders - polite

Question 52

Soup, sir — cutlets — and pineapple.

Pg15

Answer 52

Dashes shows stutter - nervous and anxious - finds him intimidating