R.C Sherriff's "Journey's End" - Act One Quiz

Answer: Hardy

The stage directions for Act One show Captain Hardy "intently drying a sock over a candle-flame" as he "half sings, half hums a song". The first lines in the play are also from Hardy: "One and Two, it's with Maud and Lou; Three and Four, two girls more" etc. You don't see Hardy after his speedy exit from the trenches when Osborne takes over, as he doesn't want Stanhope to berate him over the mess the trenches were left in.

Answer: tea

Osborne agrees and says that "There's nothing worse than dirt in your tea." This conversation is ironic and sarcastic, which is a way soldiers prevent boredom in the trenches. It also shows that war is so familiar to the men now that these events are seen as annoyances.

Answer: The dug-out is untidy

The dug-out is very untidy, with equipment hanging in a "jumbled mass" and items amongst "a litter of papers". He also says that the rifle grenades are "rusty". Hardy seems to not care about the men or look after them very well. This is shown when he replies "I don't know.

The sergeant-major sees to that" when Osborne asks where the men sleep. All of these add up to Hardy being an inefficient leader.

Answer: A fish, because he is an alcoholic

Hardy asked Osborne whether Stanhope is "drinking like a fish, as usual?" This is because Stanhope is an alcoholic at 21, who numbs his feelings of what he has seen in the war. Throughout the play, Stanhope manages to drink the majority of six bottles of whisky within two days.

Answer: False

Stanhope and Raleigh have known each other since childhood and were "terrific pals", which creates conflict in the trenches. They used to be at school together, their fathers were friends and Stanhope used to stay at Raleigh's in the holidays. The fact that Stanhope was such a role model to Raleigh is important because Raleigh now realises how war has changed him.

Answer: Pepper

Trotter and Osborne insisted on having pepper, as it is a disinfectant and because war without pepper is "awful". When Mason, the servant soldier, said that "it was missed", Stanhope became menacing due to displacement anger towards Raleigh.

Answer: Hibbert

Hibbert is first seen on page 24 of Act One, when he comes in from duty. Within the play, Hibbert is seen as quite weak, due to his constant complaints of "beastly neuralgia".

Answer: Uncle

Osborne is seen as the uncle of the group because he is "level-headed", supportive and very loyal. He is kind to Raleigh when he arrives and supports Stanhope and keeps him sane.

Answer: Sleeping

Stanhope had to be put to bed by Osborne because he is drunk and he says he aches all over and feels sick. This moment is important because it shows that the only person Stanhope can talk to openly in the trenches is Osborne.

Answer: Osborne

This moment is a metaphor for the last moments of Osborne's life, heightened by the "low rumble of distant guns" which means that the upcoming battle is imminent.