A Sense of Pathos in Journeys End :: R.C. Sheriff Journeys End Literature Essays

A Sense of Pathos in Journeys EndHow Does Sherriff Create a Sense of Pathos in Act Three Scene Three ofthe Play?Act Three Scene Three in the play is ultimately the point in which alone of the dramatic tension comes to a tragic climax. This sense ofpathos is achieved by a number of different factors.The runner is that the scene begins with an emotive description of the breeze, describing the main(prenominal) darkness of the dugout is softenedby the glow of the Very lights and the distant mutter of the guns. there is also a frequent reference to the cold, which helps to reflectthe sourness of war.The men in the dugout are clearly trying to keep things normal inorder to try and suppress their fears about the approaching Germanattack, for example Trotter sings to himself and Mason fusses abouttea and drinks. However it is also clear that there is an underlyingtension in the unnerving stillness of the atmosphere at this moment inthe play.The men coping with their fears through trivial matters are contrastedwith Hibbert, whose fears are not so well concealed. It is at thispoint that Stanhopes caring personality and good leadership skillsare visible, when he gets water for Hibbert and sends Mason up to keephim company. The more we empathise with Stanhope, the greater thetragedy when he is killed.We also see that the attack is steadily building as the noises of theshells and minenwerfers increase, and the demand for stretcher-bearersbecomes more frequent as soldiers are being injured. Thisrelentlessness of the battle portrays how inhuman and horrific lifeon the front line was.When Raleigh is hit, the first thing we learn is that it has brokenhis spine and so understand that his condition is close to likely fatal.Stanhope then commands that he is brought down into the dugout, whichwas unusual for a soldier to be treated in this way.A great sense of pathos is created in the conversation that takesplace between Raleigh and Stanhope. The first way in which this isachi eved is by the way in which the address each other, through use oftheir first names as opposed to Raleigh and Stanhope. This indicates arevert back to the memories of when they were best friends in schooland shows Stanhopes compassionate nature.We also greatly prise Raleigh because he still feels compelled tofulfil his duty, despite being critically injured. As with Stanhope,this sympathy felt by the viewer helps to intensify the tragedy of hisdeath.There is a sense of irony in the fact that Stanhope lays Raleigh down