Analysis of Language and Context

The language used in the play, 'Journey's End' is effective in portraying the multiple problems the men experience whilst in the war. For example, when Sherriff describes Stanhope's unhealthy look as " pallor under his skin and darks shadows under his eyes", we understand through imagery the effects the war has had on his in health and mind. The dark shadows show the strain his is experiencing and the pallor under his skin shows how the conditions of the war are making him unwell. When Stanhope's uniform is described as "old and war stained" we understand the brutality of the war on his physical appearance and the conditions that they go through whilst alternatively it describes the mental condition of Stanhope.
Raleigh's appearance is described completely differently because he has only just joined the war so has less experience of the brutality the other men have witnessed. He is Stanhope's opposite, they are of similar age so should look quite alike however Sherriff describes him as " a well-built, healthy looking boy", polar opposite to his hero.
Raleigh is expecting the war to be what propaganda of the time showed. He had no idea of the brutality he would face and was pressured into the war by the honour of being a war hero

After reading Act 1 of Journey's End, I began to understand why Stanhope was against going home. He feels immense pressure to be a hero to his family and friends but feels like by using alcohol as a coping mechanism he's failed to make his fiancée proud. When Raleigh joins his company, he knows his old friend will be shocked by what he's turned into in the last three years of the war. The brutality of what he has witnessed has turned Stanhope to drink, however he only crosses the violent line of camp safety whilst doped on whisky.