Act 1 - Journey's End Flashcards
The Scene
“A dugout in the British trenches before St Quentin”
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.
The Scene
“Low doorway”
dugouts are small and enclosed = claustrophobic.
The Scene
“Wire covered bed”
implies that the beds are cramped and confined
The Scene
“There is no furniture”
Lack of money
“The Earth walls deaden the sounds of war”
The Scene
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.
“Making them faint and far away”
The Scene
isolated and unfamiliar environment
“The front line is only fifty yards away”
The Scene
traumatic for the soldiers
“Still damp air”
The Scene
unwelcoming. Even the air is trapped, unhealthy and suffocating.
“Pale glimmer of moonlight”
Pg9
glimmer shows there isn’t any light coming in which suggests imprisonment and enclosed.
“Warm yellow candle”
Pg9
safe and comfortable - contrasts to ‘The Scene’
“Misty grey parapet”
Pg9
Misty makes you feel confused and unclear which is similar to war.
“Red faced, cheerful looking man”
Pg9
joyful and positive man. Red faced I plies he could be a bit chubby and round - friendly
“Drying a sock over a candle flame”
Pg9
because it’s a single candle, it will take longer which he perhaps wants - helps him pass time.
“Half sings half hums a song”
Pg9
passes time to divert attention from war - cures boredom.
“One and two, it’s with Maud and Lou…”
Pg9
comedic and amusing for himself and the audience.
“Finishes with a lively burst”
Pg9
optimistic and upbeat person
“Fine head with close cropped, iron grey hair” “Physically as hard as nails”
Pg9
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.
About forty five”
Pg9
old = wise and experienced
“Hullo Osborne!”
Pg9
the exclamation mark shows he is sociable and lively
“Some sort of disinfectant I suppose”
Pg10
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.
“All right - all right - I know”
Pg10
Osborne is stern
“They simply blew us to bits yesterday”
Pg10
Hardy says it in light hearted and carefree way.
“let’s do this handing over. Where’s the
map ?”
Pg11
Wants to stay focused
“That’s mine”
Pg11
Best bed -leader- hierarchy
I should say — roughly — about two
million
Pg11
Hyperbole - terrible conditions
You are a fussy old man
Pg12
Teasing Osborne in a amusing manner - shows he is comedic - italics
Drinking
like a fish, as usual ?
Pg12
As it’s natural for a fish to be in water, it’s natural for Stanhope to drink - everyone knows this
Well, damn it, it’s just the natural thing to ask about Stanhope.
Pg12
Everyone knows about his drinking - they can relate?
Poor old man.
Pg12
Mocking Stanhope
He is not a old man
He’s a long way the best company
commander we’ve got.
Pg12
Thinks highly of Stanhope - he is doing his job well
Oh, he’s a good chap, I know.
Pg12
Reassuring Osborne - not what he actually thinks
I suppose it amused everybody ; I
suppose everybody cheered him on, and said
what a splendid achievement it was.
Pg12
Repetition of “I suppose” shows Osborne’s frustration
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
‘Admiring’ is in italics - shows his sarcasm
Well, naturally, you’re biased. You
have to put him to bed when he gets home.
Pg12
Stanhope - youn, immature, needs his parents, not fit for war
It rather reminds you of bear-
baiting — or cock-fighting — to sit and watch a
boy drink himself unconscious.
Pg12
Not treated in a humane way - cares about him
Well, damn it, it’s pretty dull without
something to liven people up.
Pg13
Thinks of him as a source of entertainment - doesn’t think or care about his feelings. Contrasts to Osborne
( laughing ) : Imagine Stanhope spending
his leave in a country vicarage sipping tea !
He spent his last leave in Paris, didn’t he ?
Pg12
Merry + humorous person
Do you know how long he’s been
out here ?
Pg13
Sticks up for Stanhope
young Stanhope goes on sticking it,
month in, month out.
Pg13
Stanhope works hard - doesn’t aporeaciate Hardy’s thoughts about him
Oh, I know he’s a jolly good fellow….Oh, I know ; he’s a splendid chap !
Pg13
Sarcasm
And because he’s stuck it till his
nerves have got battered to bits, he is called a
drunkard.
Pg13
Trying to make an excuse for Stanhope- cares for him
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
Hardy - short temper - sudden outburst
Shows Stanhope is unstable because of war. Shows the affect of war on the soldiers
He told me.
Pg13
Stanhope tells him everything - fatherly figure. Even bad things such as him crying, trusts Osborne.
You know, Osborne,
you ought to be commanding this company.
Pg13
Thinks Osborne is fit for the job and Stanhope isn’t. Both Hardy and Stanhope thinks Osborne is a good guy
what a dear, level-headed old thing you are.
Pg14
“Dear” - affectionate manner
“Level headed old thing” - sensible and responsible
You don’t know him as I do ; I love
that fellow. I’d go to hell with him.
Pg14
Cares for him - close to him, only a true father would say he would go to hell with him
Oh, you sweet, sentimental old
darling !
Pg14
Soft and sensitive
No. I shot the rat, you ass.
Pg14
No respect for his elders
Why, that earwig. It’s been running
round and round that candle since tea-time ;
must have done a mile.
Pg15
Entrapment - no where else to go - resembles the soldiers
Great fun. We’ve had ’em every
evening.
Pg15
Tedious activity - passes time - cures boredom
Soldier Servant
“Sir”
Pg15
Junior rank - has respect for his elders - polite
Soup, sir — cutlets — and pineapple.
Pg15
Dashes shows stutter - nervous and anxious - finds him intimidating
