Journey’s End – by R.C. Sherriff
Part of Paper 1 Literature – Open Book – Clean Copy – 45 minutes to do either:
R.C.SHERRIFF: Journey’s End
Close Analysis
Re-read in Act 2 Scene 1 (towards the beginning of the scene) from ‘Osborne:
‘Yes. A bit. I made a rockery when I was home on leave.’ to ‘Osborne: I always
measure distances like that out here. Keeps them in proportion.’
16*
Explore how Sherriff vividly conveys in this very ordinary conversation the
pressures under which the three men are living.
Essay
17.
What do you think makes Osborne such a dramatic character in the play? Support
your ideas with details from the play.
Empathetic
You are Raleigh. You are on your way to the front line to join Stanhope’s
Company. Write your thoughts.
18.
Tips on Studying Drama
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Don’t ignore stage directions
Focus on relationships more
Team up with others to vocalize
Focus on audience effect
Don’t ignore silences
Don’t forget language features
These are what we used for poetry – how will they be different for drama?
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Voice – Who is talking to who about what?
Tone – How are they ‘talking’ to them?
Theme – Why?
Diction – What kind of words are they using?
Imagery – How are they presenting their ideas?
Sound – How does the physical quality of the poem in terms of
alliteration, onomatopoeia, assonance, rhyme and rhythm affect the
poem
 Form – how is the shape, direction and stanza structure used?
For Drama I’d suggest the following as a checklist:
 Situation – Context, Plot, Power Structures,
 Character – Position, Personality, Attitudes, Language, Choices
 Relationships – Harmony and conflict between the characters.
How these change.
 Themes - What concepts or ideas are explored? What is the
attitude towards them?
 Language – What kind of diction is used and to what effect?
 Stage effects – Sounds, lighting, set design, movement, off-stage
effects, the creation of atmosphere
 Dramatic Structure – The exposition, development, complication, and
climax of the work, dramatic irony, audience reaction, suspense
Context
1. Setting the context – Brainstorm on A3 paper in your groups what
you know of World War 1 – Present
2. Watch and think about the filming of the ‘Over the Top’ scene in
Stanley Kubrick’s ‘Paths of Glory’ – What do you think it is trying to
convey about the war and how?
3. Please quickly glance at the study guide for more information.
Act 1
Act 1 – Serves largely as exposition. It establishes the dominant
characters, situation, tone, relationships and style of language in the
drama, creating audience expectations.
Section 1 – Osborne and Hardy
1. We will be reading in pairs, annotating and commenting on these
features. Find between 3-5 examples of the following between the start
of the play – p.9, to the entrance of Mason on p.15.
 Situation – What is happening to them? What are their conditions
like?
 Character – Hardy and Osborne (but also Stanhope)
 Relationships – Hardy with Osborne (but also each of their
attitudes to Stanhope)
 Tone – How do they cope with their situation?
 Language – What kind of diction is used and to what effect?
2. At your table, swap pairs over and discuss your choices with them.
3. At this point – what questions will the audience be asking?
(p.15-16 There is a short section between Osborne and Mason – what
point does it serve)
Section 2 Osborne and Raleigh
Again – read in pairs from p.16-21, annotating evidence for the
following:
 Situation – What is happening to them? What are their conditions
like?
 Character – Osborne and Raleigh (but also Stanhope) – Focus in
particular on their backgrounds.
 Relationships – Osborne with Raleigh (but also each of their
attitudes to Stanhope)
 Tone – How do they cope with their situation?
 Language – What kind of diction is used and to what effect?
Section 3 - Introducing Stanhope – p.22-29
Stanhope/Raleigh/Osborne/Mason/ (Trotter/Soldier/Hibbert can be
one reader)
1. Brainstorm what we have found out about Stanhope so far.
2. Look closely at the detailed opening description of him – annotate
details that confirm or challenge the expectations that have been set up.
3. Read the section in groups, using the character list above.
Annotate the following aspects of Stanhope:
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The way he performs his role as Captain
His reaction to Raleigh
His alcohol consumption
His relationship with Osborne
His psychological state
Imagine you are a doctor, observing Stanhope in this scene. From the
evidence that you’ve collected, write a diagnosis of his general health
and well-being. What would you recommend for him?