Use of Language in Journeys End by RC Sheriff :: Journeys End Essays

The Use of Language in Journeys EndJourneys End was R.C. Sherriffs only major theatrical production andhad had comparatively little experience of prankwriting before. However,the style in the gathering period does not luff any evidence of this. Being setin the trenches in the capital War, and being with a serious, ingrainedmessage, the play needed to be presented to the audience powerfullyand effectively. The language needed to show the characters and theirlanguage as they would ware been had they had actually been in thetrenches at the time and make sure that they were as realistic aspossible. Sherriff has aimed to relate the characters speech directlyto their character tho similarly to create a powerful picture in the mindsof the audience. iodine of his main aims in the play was to present thepublic with a play to show the real attitudes during the war. Eachcharacter has different dialogue to distri neverthelessively other to typify theircharacters and to distinguish th em apart. The characters also havedifferent styles of language that provides various elements to theplay. Although the play is of a deeply profound nature, the play hasdecisive outlets of comic relief which is displayed through thecharacters in the play.The stage notes throughout the play show the simple, atmospheric stylethe Sherriff uses in describing the aspects of the play. The verystart of the play which describes the set, and the situation for thewhole play, tunes the audience into the tone of the scene.Warm yellow candle flames light the other corner from the necks oftwo bottles on the table. Through the entre can be seen the mistygrey parapet of the trench, and a contract slit of starlit sky.This is typical of R.C. Sherriffs style. The notes are simple,explanatory but have the aura of the scene in mind. The characterisedaspects of the scene such as the Warm yellow candle flames and themisty grey parapet blood line to emit the homeliness in the trench,but with the siniste r, stony atmosphere outside. Sherriff also focusesgreatly on the actions and movements of each character. He does thisto portray the character in the scene exactly as he wants them to beperceived by the audience. This is shown in Act One where Raleigharrives in the trench for the first time and his uneasy disposition asa newcomer to the dugout is clearly apparent. Sherriff explainsAn officer comes groping down the steps and stands in thecandle-light. He looks round, a bit bewildered. He is a well built,healthy feel boy of about eighteen, with the new uniform of a 2nd