Act Three Scene Three of Journeys End by RC Sheriff Essay examples --

Act Three Scene Three of Journey's End Journey's end, written in 1918, is a short play set in the trenches of World War One. The English trench is opposite a German trench with only sixty or so yards of 'no mans land' between them. The play tries to show the reality of war through ideas or comradeship and the way that the characters interact under pressure of everyday life in the trenches. The play also displays ideas of heroism through respect for other soldiers or characters. Overall it is the horror of war itself that is conveyed in this play, shown mainly through death and the lifestyle that had to be lead. Act three Scene three is the very last scene of the play. From almost the very beginning we have known that an attack from the German army is to be expected. However, the characters in the play are not sure when it will take place or in what form. As the attack could transpire at any given moment the tension is high throughout the play. This is not the only anxiety in the script at the beginning of Act three Scene three. Raleigh and Stanhope, the plays two most prominent characters, have had a large argument about the death of a mutual friend, which they do not resolve before the beginning of this scene. The strain between these two characters has been immense for the duration of the play. They were previously well acquainted but Stanhope feared that Raleigh, a recent member to the company, would think badly of him as he has become an alcoholic, and therefore refuses to acknowledge him as a friend, but just a colleague. Raleigh has found this very hard to accept. The audience is not only expecting the attack, but also for Stanhope and Raleigh to clear the air once and for all so they can re... ...is about working successfully with others in one big machine. If the parts of that machine do not work together then it will break down. He also wanted to portray the absolute horror and injustice that war has to offer. He does this extremely successfully as he makes the audience feel encapsulated in the whole experience of war. Even though he is telling them what it is like, he leaves freedom for them to develop their own view on it. Overall, I think that R.C.Sherriff was trying to say that the human side of war is futile. Nobody wins, a lot of people die without accomplishing a great deal, and from whatever angle you chose to look at it, the whole idea is pointless, causing more pain than is necessary. Should all this commotion be vital, just to gain another thirty metres, which will most probably be return to the rightful owner in due time anyway?