Sergeant Major

Question 1

Role

Answer 1

-large man who ranks below Stanhope and his officers

-not very many appearances but in it he emphasises futility of war through his big stature and his role of making sure all of Stanhope’s orders are followed through

Question 2

futility quotes

Answer 2

-‘carrying Raleigh like a child in his huge arms’ (pg 92) simile like a child connotes innocence of Raleigh, in a harsh environment like war which strips it away. this is juxtaposed with huge arms which emphasises vulnerability and fallibility and is a metaphor for the war which has not only taken him so soon but was always too big for him in that sense

-‘sergeant major’s big fists grope over the BOY’s pockets’ (pg 75) emphasises the futility in this. big fists make him seem like a bully aka war emphasised by the ‘BOY’

these two quotes correlate with repetition of his fists and boy. the latter war being presented as a big bully, but second, parent feel, Raleigh just a child, war Is reduced and humanity is shown