We are introduced to Osborne and Hardy, two fellow captains in the same company. They try not to talk about war in their conversation, but Hardy cannot help it
Stanhope meets the Sergeant Major about a potential attack on Thursday. Stanhope briefs the Sergeant Major about the plans with great clarity, showing his experience in his position. The Colonel comes down and confirms that the attack will almost certainly be on Thursday.
You know the big German attack’s expected any day now?”
Hardy
Osborne
“What about the log-book?”
ACT 1
Hibbert strikes Stanhope with a stick and Stanhope dares to shoot. Hibbert doesn’t care anymore and tells Stanhope to shoot. Stanhope does not shoot and instead drops the gun. Hibbert starts crying violentlyใ
A new officer, Raleigh, is introduced to the play. He causes tension between the other officers as he looked up to Stanhope in school as a hero, as they went to the same school before the war started. His immaturity can be noticed as he misunderstands Osborne’s warnings about Stanhope.
“I was frightfully keen to get into Dennis’s regiment.
Ralegih
“I’ve ad rather an unpleasant surprise sir.”
Mason
ACT 2 SCENE 1
We see a new officer Trotter. It is clear he uses food as his comfort to cope with the harsh reality of war. The conversation between Trotter and Osborne tries to avoid the war. They talk about gardening and food, showing us the contrast between war and the peaceful life before. Raleigh shows his immaturity when he becomes excited about Osborne’s ‘rugger’ career. The awkwardness of Stanhope and Raleigh’s relations increases when Stanhope uses excessive force to get hold of Raleigh’s first letter. When Osborne reads it, it is clear Raleigh has written a fine letter including positives about Stanhope.
We should guard the food.
My hero, Stanhope
Trotter
Ralegih
Osborne
Don't even try to send that card
ACT 2 SCENE 2
Really!!!!??
Ralegih
Possibly we are going to be attacked
Sergant Major
ACT 1 SCENE 2
“I liked the way you stuck that.”
We have onions
Stanhope sits at the table with the other and has some “onion tea” and bread with the others from Mason. They talk about the attack and other topics such as Alice in Wonderland. Stanhope talks positively to Hibbert and offers to include him in the conversations.