Stanhope And Hibbert's Incident

The incident regarding Stanhope and Hibbert contributes to the play dramatically in various ways. It highlights a number of main themes throughout the play, such as comradeship, pity of war, and the destruction of youth.
This play gains dramatically from this confrontation partly due to the timing of this incident. It is significant to the series of events since Stanhope is in a terrible mental state due to the news he has just received from the colonel. Although Stanhope was aware that the big attack was imminent, The Colonel reinforced the fact that there would be no help from either company. In addition to that, the Colonel had brought news of the ‘absurd’ raid, the Brigadier wanted planned for that afternoon, in ‘broad daylight’. This
we know from earlier on that he claims that he suffers from ‘beastly neuralgia’ however as Stanhope says he is not going to let ‘another one get away with it’ showing that he most likely does not suffer from neuralgia as it cannot be proved he simply cannot handle the pressures of trench life. This all mounts to Stanhope’s dislike of Hibbert who he sees as ’another little worm trying to wriggle home’. Hibbert is already cracking under the pressure however trench life allows all conversations to be overheard. This results in Hibbert overhearing the news of the raid which for him is ‘’the last straw on the camel’s back’’ causing Hibbert to succumb to the pressure. This leads to the dramatic confrontation between Stanhope and
At first when Stanhope informs Hibbert that the doctor will not let him leave Hibbert becomes hysterical and answers Stanhope ‘fiercely’ ‘I have every right to go home if I want to’. This was in contrast to Stanhope who was very measured and controlled speaking ‘slowly’ and ‘quietly’ when informing Hibbert that he is going to ‘stay here’ and do his job. This highlights one of Stanhope’s main beliefs being comradeship and the code of frontline behavior. These components all add up to Stanhope’s dislike of Hibbert who he believes is a ‘little worm trying to wriggle home’ however the way that he deals with him points out Stanhope’s incredible leadership qualities, showing that just because he has taken a disliking to him doesn’t mean he does not