Summary
First produced: 1929
First published: 1929
Type of work: Drama
Type of plot: Impressionistic realism
Time of work: March 1918
Locale: A battlefield in France
Principal Characters
Captain Dennis Stanhope, a commanding officer in the British army
Lieutenant Osborne, Stanhope's mature and dependable deputy
Lieutenant Raleigh, Stanhope's friend from school and brother to his fiancée
Second Lieutenant Hibbert, an officer under Stanhope, known for his cowardice
Critique
"Journey's End," born from the pen of Robert Sherriff, initially had humble beginnings with no intentions of grandeur. Sherriff, an insurance claims adjuster by profession, crafted the play from his wartime letters to family during his service in World War I. Although it was originally intended for an amateur group interested in dramatics, the play fortuitously found its way to George Bernard Shaw, who played a pivotal role in its production. Its debut was met with overwhelming success, leading to simultaneous performances across the United States and England. This unforeseen success catapulted Sherriff into the limelight and established his career as a professional writer, although none of his subsequent works matched the acclaim of "Journey's End."
The Story
On Monday, March 18, 1918, Captain Stanhope's company moved into the trenches, anticipating a significant German offensive near St. Quentin. Lieutenant Osborne, with a background as a schoolmaster, welcomed the young and eager Lieutenant Raleigh to the dugout. Raleigh, who idolized Stanhope since their school days, was unaware of the changes war had wrought in his hero. War had transformed Stanhope into a weary, whiskey-reliant officer, hardened by the relentless pressures of command.
That evening, Stanhope expressed to Osborne his concerns about Raleigh's arrival and his determination to censor the young officer's letters, fearing Raleigh might reveal Stanhope’s struggles to his sister, Stanhope's fiancée. Stanhope was also troubled by Hibbert, an officer attempting to feign illness to escape duty. Having no tolerance for what he perceived as cowardice, Stanhope resolved to keep Hibbert in line.
As dawn broke the next day, Stanhope prepared his men for the imminent German attack. He ordered the construction of barbed wire defenses in case of a forced retreat. Meanwhile, Raleigh and Osborne bonded over a lengthy conversation, cementing their friendship. Raleigh, concluding his letter to his sister, reluctantly handed it over to Stanhope for review. Although initially hesitant, Stanhope deferred to Osborne, who assured him that the letter was filled with admiration for Stanhope.
Later, the regiment's colonel informed Stanhope that a raid was necessary to capture German prisoners and gather intelligence. Despite the peril involved, Osborne and Raleigh were chosen to lead the mission. Stanhope reluctantly consented, aware of the potential consequences and the importance of Osborne's experience and Raleigh's youthful zeal.
After the colonel departed, Hibbert attempted to escape duty by visiting the doctor. However, Stanhope, recognizing Hibbert's cowardice, threatened him, thereby coercing him into compliance. Later, Osborne and Raleigh were briefed on the mission details. Osborne accepted the situation with silent resignation, while Raleigh approached the task with youthful enthusiasm, oblivious to the danger ahead.
By the next day, all was set for the mission. A passage through the barbed wire had been cleared, and the Germans, aware of the impending raid, had prepared their defenses. Despite Stanhope’s efforts to cancel the mission, the colonel insisted it proceed. Under the cover of smoke shells, Osborne led his team to secure the area, while Raleigh's group captured a German soldier.
The raid succeeded in its objectives, but at a heavy cost. While Raleigh returned with valuable intelligence, Osborne and several soldiers lost their lives. Raleigh, devastated by Osborne's death, found it difficult to...
(This entire section contains 1116 words.)
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reconcile with the officers’ celebratory dinner, viewing it as callous. Unaware that this was their way of coping with grief and the uncertainty of war, Raleigh isolated himself.
Following the dinner, Stanhope chastised Raleigh for his absence and explained the necessity of the officers' attempts to maintain morale amidst loss. The following morning, as the Germans launched their assault, Raleigh was severely wounded. Stanhope brought him to the dugout, offering comfort and the possibility of recovery in England. Despite their renewed camaraderie, Raleigh succumbed to his wounds, leaving Stanhope to face the ongoing battle with renewed resolve.
Further Critical Evaluation of the Work
It wasn't until 1929 that England witnessed its first significant "anti-war" play with "Journey's End," arriving inadvertently on the scene. Sherriff, prompted by his rowing club to write a male-centric play, found himself enamored with playwriting and pursued its production with determination. Upon its stage debut, the play received critical and popular acclaim, positioning Sherriff as a promising post-war dramatist, although he struggled to replicate this initial triumph.
By today’s standards, the "anti-war" sentiment in "Journey's End" seems understated. Sherriff constructs a convincing wartime environment and critiques the impersonal tactics of war strategists but stops short of challenging the war’s necessity. He conveys the notion that while warfare is inherently brutal, it demands courage and intellect from those on the front lines. The enduring power of "Journey's End" lies in its dramatic depth and insightful portrayal of human psychology under duress.
Despite the backdrop of warfare, the play unfolds at a measured pace, with most of the conflict occurring offstage. The air in the trenches is permeated by a mix of anticipation and monotony as soldiers await the inevitable German assault. They combat this anxiety with trivial conversation and dark humor, creating a semblance of normalcy amidst chaos. However, this facade of casualness only heightens the underlying tension.
The narrative focuses on contrasting how different officers cope with the pressures of battle. Lieutenant Osborne stands out for his composure, separating his civilian identity from his military duty. Trotter relies on a mundane outlook to maintain emotional stability, while Hibbert struggles without any reliable defense, his facade only kept intact by Stanhope’s threats. Raleigh, initially fueled by romantic ideals of warfare, soon grasps the grim reality after experiencing combat firsthand.
Captain Stanhope, however, provides the most compelling character study. Unlike his fellow officers, he cannot adopt a single coping strategy, making him susceptible to emotional turmoil. Once a promising figure in academia and sports, his wartime role has exposed him to relentless pressure, resulting in excessive drinking and self-doubt. Yet, despite these struggles, Stanhope’s leadership and tactical prowess remain evident, his complexity deepened by Raleigh’s admiration and subsequent disillusionment.
In the story's climactic moments, Stanhope overcomes his personal demons and steps up to lead his men with conviction. "Journey's End" may paint a bleak picture of war's nature, but it also celebrates the resilience and integrity of those forced to endure its trials. In the end, the play pays homage not to grandiose acts of valor but to the everyday heroism of enduring with dignity.
