JE - heroism Flashcards
(6 cards)
Introduction
Journey’s End is a play that shatters stereotypical representations of life at war for soldiers during WWI. Due to R.C. Sheriff’s experience serving as a captain in the East Surrey Regiment, it uncovers the propaganda that was typical to World War 1 literature. He releases Journey’s End specifically 10 years later as audiences were ready for the reality for men in the trenches. Through his construction of the setting and characters, the three acts reveal the emotionally traumatic nature of war, giving the play verisimilitude. Journey’s End presents a powerful and nuanced exploration of heroism, challenging romanticised notions of bravery in war and replacing them with a more human, realistic portrayal. Through the characters of Stanhope, Osborne, and Raleigh, Sherriff invites the audience to reconsider what it means to be a hero.
1st paragraph - Stanhope
Stanhope is portrayed as a deeply complex and reluctant hero, whose courage lies not in fearlessness but in endurance. Though he is the company commander and considered “the best company commanding officer we’ve got,” he is also mentally and emotionally scarred, relying on alcohol to cope. His drinking is not a flaw of character, but a symptom of the immense pressure he bears. When Osborne defends him, saying, “I’d go to hell with him” it reveals that he is not only loyal to Stanhope but also admires his leadership, even as others question Stanhope’s drinking. Stanhope’s temper also sometimes gets the better of him as he exclaims “hero worship be damned” as a response to Raleigh’s arrival. Sherriff uses Stanhope to redefine heroism — not as perfection or invincibility, but as the ability to keep leading in spite of fear and trauma. This would have resonated strongly with a 1928 audience, many of whom knew men broken by the war yet still considered them heroic.
2nd paragraph - osborne
Osborne, the older officer nicknamed “Uncle,” represents a quieter, more stable form of heroism. His wisdom shines through, for example when he suggests that “little boys will always have their heroes”, aiming to calm Stanhope and alleviate his fears from Raleigh’s communication. His ability to stay composed and is picked up upon when Hardy says “you ought to be commanding this company” Osborne’s heroism lies in his emotional steadiness and care for others, acting as a father figure who holds the group together. Sherriff uses him to show that heroism can be found in small, human gestures rather than dramatic actions.
3rd paragraph
Raleigh embodies youthful, idealistic heroism at the start of the play, but Sherriff gradually deconstructs his naive beliefs. At first, Raleigh is excited to serve under Stanhope, his schoolboy hero, exclaiming “He’s a splendid chap!” However, he soon witnesses the grim realities of war and the toll it takes on Stanhope. His transformation is complete after the raid, when he sees Osborne killed. Raleigh’s quiet grief and insistence on staying with the men rather than eating with the colonel shows his growing maturity and understanding. In the final scene, as he lies dying, he simply says, “It’s so frightfully dark,” capturing the tragedy of war and the fading of heroic illusions. Sherriff uses Raleigh’s short life to question the propaganda-driven image of the young war hero, showing instead the vulnerability and the vast loss in society.
4th paragraph
Sherriff also challenges traditional views of heroism through the structure and setting of the play. By placing the action entirely in the trenches, often in silence or during mundane moments, he emphasises that real heroism lies in endurance — simply continuing to live and function in a horrifying environment. The characters do not make grand speeches or charge into battle with glory; instead, they joke, smoke, and talk about home while waiting for death. This normalisation of fear and suffering makes their continued service all the more heroic. In 1928, many audience members — particularly veterans — would have recognised this portrayal as authentic and meaningful, a deliberate departure from patriotic myths.
Conclusion
In conclusion, R.C. Sherriff redefines heroism in Journey’s End by presenting it as quiet resilience, emotional strength, and reluctant sacrifice. Through characters like Stanhope, Osborne, and Raleigh, he dismantles the glorified war hero and replaces him with real men coping with fear, loss, and duty. The play acts as a tribute to those who endured rather than those who triumphed, offering a more honest and human vision of courage in war — one shaped not by victory, but by survival.
