Different Ways Sherriff Reveals Courage to the Audience in Journey's End

Different Ways Sherriff Reveals Courage to the Audience in Journey's End

Throughout 'Journey's End', the sheer brutality of the war is

portrayed to the audience in a subtle manner. The thousands of deaths

and the shocking injuries were all facts of life for the soldiers in

the trenches in World War One, but the playwright does not chose to

focus upon these directly. For example, the raid at the end of the

play is not visibly displayed, instead it is created through dramatic

techniques such as lighting, sound effects and setting. In 'Journeys

End', the audience, are fully aware of the horrors that the soldiers

faced. The characters deal with the horrific situation in their own,

different ways, showing astonishing courage throughout the play.

Stanhope is the commander of their company and it is he who dominates

the play. He is a committed, trustworthy, respected soldier, who has

been out in the trenches for the longest period of time. "He's a good

chap" ,"He's a long way the best company commander we've got."

Stanhope is courageous in many ways. He has been out in the war "for

nearly three years" and "he came straight out from school - when he

was eighteen." This shows that he is very knowledgeable and

experienced about the war and everything that is going on, but it also

shows that he has been through an awful lot. The soldiers admire his

determination and courage, for example, Osborne says, "Other men come

over here and go home again ill, and young Stanhope goes on sticking

in, month in month out." This reveals to the audience that Stanhope is

very courageous and loyal to his fellow soldiers.

The audience never doubt that Stanhope...

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...e any more waiting to

see if he will die, he would prefer it if he was shot by Stanhope,

than be killed by the Germans. This scene really shows us just how

courageous the men are, as it helps us to understand the real pressure

that the men are under, waiting, not knowing whether they will live or

die.

Overall, I feel that all the characters in Journey's End show amazing

amounts of courage. They were under immense pressure and strain, and

the play really makes the audience realise the true courage shown by

the men. I'm sure that in achieving these numerous and vivid displays

of courage, Sherriff gained immeasurably from his first hand

experience in being a soldier himself, and fighting in World War One.

They risked their lives for their country, and there are no words to

describe just how terrible it was for them.