Detailed plot summary
Act I
The play opens in a dugoutA shelter for soldiers in the trenches, made by digging a hole in the ground and covering it with a roof. in the British trenches in Northern France. The action begins on the evening of Monday 18 March 1918 and continues over three days. It ends at dawn on Thursday 21 March 1918.
Captain Hardy is about to be relieved by a Captain Stanhope. The play begins with Hardy and Stanhope鈥檚 second in command - Osborne - discussing what Stanhope is like. Osborne and Stanhope are the main characters for the rest of the play.
New officer
After Hardy leaves, a new young officer - Raleigh - enters. Raleigh has managed to get himself placed in C Company because he knew Stanhope at public schoolA private, expensive, fee-paying secondary school, usually a boarding school. Public as in not run by the Church.. Also, Stanhope has been in a relationship with Raleigh鈥檚 sister, Madge.
Osborne tries to hint to Raleigh that Stanhope is a changed man from the one he might remember. But Raleigh fails to understand and seems to have an idealisticSomeone who has high or noble goals and bases their behaviour on these ideals, even if they are unrealistic. picture of Stanhope as a mythical hero figure.
It is also clear that Raleigh is excited and enthusiastic about being on the front line. His youthful energy and exuberance already seem in contrast to the more experienced officers.
Stanhope is uncomfortable
When Stanhope enters it is clear he is shocked and uncomfortable at Raleigh鈥檚 presence.
We find out that he fears Raleigh will write and inform Madge that he has become an alcoholic and - despite Osborne鈥檚 advice to the contrary - he threatens to censorTo examine something and decide whether to cut out parts which may be offensive. Raleigh鈥檚 letters.
Through a conversation with Osborne we discover that Stanhope鈥檚 addiction was caused by the terrible realities of trench life.