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- Journey's End: the characters
Journey's End: the characters
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Each officer copes with fear in a different way. That variety is the heart of the play.
Stanhope and Raleigh
Stanhope: only about 21 but a brilliant, respected commander. He relies on whisky to cope with the strain, and can be harsh, but he cares deeply for his men.
Raleigh: 18, eager and idealistic. The reality of war and Osborne's death shock him.
Raleigh: 18, eager and idealistic. The reality of war and Osborne's death shock him.
Osborne and Trotter
Osborne: older, a former schoolmaster, calm and kind; the others call him 'Uncle'. He reads *Alice's Adventures in Wonderland* to escape.
Trotter: a cheerful, working-class officer promoted from the ranks, who copes by thinking about food and marking off the hours on paper.
Trotter: a cheerful, working-class officer promoted from the ranks, who copes by thinking about food and marking off the hours on paper.
Hibbert and Mason
Hibbert: claims to have neuralgia to get sent home. Stanhope threatens him, then admits he feels the same fear.
Mason: the cook, a source of comedy with his poor food.
The Colonel cares about results; he seems detached from the men's deaths.
Mason: the cook, a source of comedy with his poor food.
The Colonel cares about results; he seems detached from the men's deaths.
How does Sherriff present Stanhope's drinking?
- Stanhope drinks to cope with years of strain.
- Osborne defends him, saying he is a fine officer.
- So the drinking is shown as a symptom of war's damage, not weakness.
Answer: As a sign of the psychological damage of war rather than a moral failing.
Stanhope: brilliant, strained, drinks. Raleigh: young hero-worshipper. Osborne: calm 'Uncle'. Trotter: cheerful, food-focused. Hibbert: terrified. Mason: comic cook. Colonel: detached.
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