Journey’s End By R.C. Sherriff L.O. To understand the historical context of the play

Robert Cedric Sherriff Born 1896 – Surrey Wounded in 1917 during WW1 in France He wrote 6 earlier plays that were not successful ‘Journey’s End’ was his 7th play and was first performed in 1928 Sherriff died in 1975 – this play is considered his greatest achievement

Social & Historical Context Written in the late 1920’s Most audience members at this time went to the theatre to escape their lives After the war the class system was undergoing massive change – commercially successful plays had to appeal to the masses An all-male play about war was an unexpected success Winston Churchill was a fan of the play and invited Sherriff to Downing Street to discuss it

Social & Historical Context A lot of great poetry has come out of this time. War poets were usually soldiers who found that poetry was a way to voice their horrific experiences.

Setting of the play Set in St Quentin, France 1918 Starts Monday 18th March 3 days later Germany launched ‘Operation Michael’ Historically accurate rather than ‘anti war’ Life in the trenches The audience of the day would remember the experience first hand

Staging of the play The setting is naturally suited to the stage Warren-like nature of dugouts Cramped close conditions Hardships – exposed to elements Camaraderie of shared experience Single staging with ‘off stage’ locations inferred You will see this is the film version.

Analysing a Play Form & Structure Themes Plot Lighting & sound Play characters Stage directions Language Context

Analysing a Play Form & Structure Themes Plot Lighting & sound Play characters Stage directions Language Context

Studying characters What the character says and does What other characters say about them The character’s appearance and manner Write these down. This is the basis for your assessment!

Brigadier Hardy Colonel Dennis Stanhope Osborne Trotter Hibbert Sergeant Major Company soldiers James Raleigh Mason Young German Soldier

Colonel His view of war is as a game He is removed from the horror He seems insensitive He is only following orders himself Contrasts with the respected Stanhope Possibility to study ‘Base Details’ when introducing the relationship between the colonel and the soldiers

Hardy Secondary character He offers the first insight into Stanhope Messy & disorganised Red faced and cheerful Offers a contrast to Stanhope

Stanhope Son of a vicar 21 years old (but seems older) Holder of the Military Cross High personal standards Heavy drinker as a coping mechanism A natural leader No leave in 3 years Survived the battle of Vimy Ridge Hardened but with a tender heart

Osborne The oldest member of c company (45) Married with 2 children Former school master Wise & approachable Loyal and a calming influence A mentor to Stanhope Well liked & trusted Humble – National rugby player

Trotter The only officer who has not attended public school Middle aged & ‘homely looking’ He comfort eats and is portly! Friendly & jovial Unemotional & uses humour as armour Loyal – becomes 2 I.C. There is more to him than at first appears

Hibbert In his early 20s Weak & ineffectual Psychologically ill or cowardly? Exploitative of women A contrast to Raleigh Not part of the ‘brotherhood’ of C company

Raleigh Boyish youth Naive & vulnerable An old school friend of Stanhope Courageous Eager to please Hero worships the older men A typical innocent victim of war

Mason Lower class character Soldier & cook Hard working & keen to serve Offers moments of light relief He brings normality to the madness of war

The Plot

Structure Three acts Confined time span Claustrophobic setting Does not follow the rules of a ‘well made play’- instead a series of complications are presented leading to mini climaxes Texture of mood & tone