Journey's End Flashcards
What is Journey’s End?
A play
Give seven things to include in a Journey’s End essay.
- Small amount of context.
- Characters
- Plot/Action
- Effect on the audience
- Stage directions
- Language
- How it works as a play.
Give five things to include when writing about characters in Journey’s End.
- What they do
- What they say
- What they think
- How others react to them
- What others say about them
What is the significance of Osborne defending Stanhope? (Act 1)
-It shows how close the bond is between the two of them.
What is the significance of Stanhope telling about him collapsing? (Act 1)
-It shows how close the bond is between the two of them.
What is the significance of the joking between Osborne and Hardy? (Act 1)
-There is a solidarity between soldiers.
What is the significance of Osborne’s nickname “Uncle”?
-It connote the kind of almost parental relationship he has with some of the men.
What does “an amazing bit of luck” imply? (Act 1)
-Raleigh has a very high opinion of Stanhope.
What is the significance of “They’re not - er - officially engaged”? (Act 1)
- It’s a reminder of the time period.
- It might be frowned upon.
What is the significance of the pause when Osborne is speaking? (pg 13)
-Osborne has considered the possibility giving Stanhope’s nature.
What is the significance of Raleigh’s reference to Stanhope’s temper?
- Dramatic irony.
- The audience already knows of Stanhope’s drinking.
- Foreshadows tension between the two.
Give an example of how the soldiers prevent themselves thinking about their situation.
- The tin of pineapples.
- They focus on small grievances.
What is the significance of the humour in Act 1?
- It shows the men’s attempts at escapism.
- Gives points of comparison for dramatic moments.
What is the significance of Raleigh being silent? (Act 1)
It shows he doesn’t fit in.
Give two reasons why Stanhope is uncomfortable with Ralieigh’s presence.
- Raleigh could expose him as a fraud.
- Raleigh could tell his sister.
What is the significance of Hibbert’s fear of the war? (Act 1)
It reminds Stanhope that he is no different.
What is the significance of “He’ll command the battalion one day if-“? (Act 1)
-It shows how serious Stanhope’s drinking problem is.
What is the significance of “I never knew anything like a war for upsetting meals”? (Act 1)
- Makes the description identifiable.
- Shows another way the men try to cope with the war.
What is the significance of “if I went up those steps in to front line - without being doped with whiskey - I’d go mad with fright”? (Act 1)
- Gives a cause for Stanhope’s drinking which humanises him.
- Provides the impetus behind his resentment of Raleigh’s presence.
What is the significance of “that man’s getting familiar”? (Act 2)
-Mason isn’t actually forgetful and knows what he can say.
What is the significance of Trotter and Osborne discussing Stanhope?
It shows the close bond between the soldiers.
What is the significance of Raleigh staying silent unless addressed? (Act 2)
- Shows he is preoccupied with the state of Stanhope.
- Shy
What is the significance of Osborne and Raleigh discussing rugby?
-Reminds them of what they are fighting for.
What is the significance of Stanhope planning to wire his company in?
- Shows loyalty in the company.
- Mistrust of the wider war effort.
What is the significance of Trotter not having any imagination?
- Shows the difference in intellect between him and the other officers.
- Explains why he doesn’t suffer any strain.
What is the significance of Raleigh calling Stanhope Dennis?
-He is unable to differentiate between his friend and commanding officer.
What is the significance of Raleigh’s letter?
-Shows Stanhope’s conflict between drinking to cope with the war and how his personality has changed.
What is the significance of “Did he? (pause) Look at the sun”? (Act 2)
- Shows how Osborne doesn’t want to gossip about the officers.
- Trying not to emphasise the effect of Raleigh on Stanhope.
What is the significance of “I never never knew the sun could rise in so many ways”? (Act 2)
- Rare moment where the soldiers focus on the positive aspects.
- Heightened awareness of beauty due to death.
- Grey brings back to the reality.
What is the significance of “I’d give anything to cancel the beastly affair”? (Act 3)
- It shows there is a reason for Stanhope to be depressed.
- The Colonel is fully aware of the situation.
What is the significance of Stanhope and Osborne pausing repeatedly? (Act 3)
-It shows they are both aware of the probability of Osborne not returning.
What is the significance of Raleigh talking about the raid? (Act 3)
-Raleigh is worried about his first real action in the war.
What is the significance of Raleigh knowing Alice in Wonderland? (Act 3)
-It shows another similarity between the two.
What is the significance of Osborne quoting “To talk of things”? (Act 3)
-He wants to talk of things other than the war.
What is the significance of “i’m glad it’s you and I - together”? (Act 3)
- Shows clear affection towards Raleigh.
- Both pause showing their nervousness.
What is the significance of Osborne telling Raleigh he doesn’t want to lose his ring? (Act 3)
-He is still trying to protect Raleigh.
What is the significance of the German sobbing?
-Shows that the Germans were a human enemy.
Give the five main themes of Journey’s End.
- Heroism/Cowardice
- Camaraderie
- Futility of War
- Reality of War
- Duty
What are the three main symbols of Journey’s End?
- Alcohol
- Candle Light
- Rugby/Gardening
Give an example of how Sherriff presents a contrast between heroism and cowardice.
-The characters of Stanhope and Hibbert.
What does Sherriff show through the parallel between Hibbert and Stanhope.
-Experiencing fear doesn’t make soldiers cowards.
Give an example of how Sherriff shows camaraderie.
Stanhope is overtly scathing of plans which put his men in danger.
Give a reason why the relationship between Stanhope and Raleigh is so volatile.
-Raleigh isn’t part of the camaraderie.
Give an example where Sherriff shows the futility of war.
-Osborne’s story about the German officer over the trench.
What is the significance of “The Germans are really quite decent … outside the newspapers?”
- Shows the discrepancy between the public perception of the war and the reality.
- Faceless evil actually normal men.
- Extra poignancy since Sherriff experienced it himself.
Give an example of how Sherriff shows the reality of war.
- Raleigh’s naivety.
- Not what he expected.
- Only people there could understand.
Give two examples of how Sherriff shows how the soldiers cope.
- Stanhope’s drinking
- Osborne reading children’s books.
Which character does Sherriff use to portray the theme of duty?
Stanhope.
What does alcohol symbolise in Journey’s End?
- Stanhope has become a different man.
- Ignoring the reality of war.
What does candle light symbolise in Journey’s End?
- Parallel between fading light and fading life.
- Finality to the play.
What do rugby and gardening symbolise in Journey’s End?
- All aspects of life before are irrelevant.
- Means to avoid the war.
Give four uses of language through Journey’s End.
- Terms used as product of the context of the play.
- Trotter’s use of double negative shows lack of education.
- Dialogue broken up to signify emotional state.
- Literal language to show they are ordinary men.
Give two ways in which structure is used in Journey’s End.
- Divided into acts to give a sense of escalation.
- As time passes the pressure on the men builds up.
