The Long and the Short and the Tall: cultural context

Cultural Context

Depictions of War - The play was written by a former military man. Hence, The Long and the Short and the Tall demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the dynamics of a military unit and the complexities of war. Written in the early years of post-WWII Britain, it critically depicted the brutality and futility of war, challenging popular heroic depictions of soldiers.
Post-Colonial Politics - It takes place during The Malayan Emergency, an oft-forgotten conflict between British colonial authorities and communist insurgents. Here, Hall raises questions about the morality of British colonial rule, an issue seldom discussed openly during the 1950s when Britain was dealing with loss of its colonies.
Class Conflict - The characters originate from varied social backgrounds, mirroring the diverse makeup of the British army and society of the time. Hall starkly explores the idea of class conflict, with its inherent biases and prejudices.

Societal Values and Attitudes

Patriotism and Duty - British cultural norms and notions of patriotism and duty are explored through the characters’ actions and dialogues, all of whom perceive their roles as soldiers in different ways. The play inspects these notions critically, bringing out the flaws and blurring the lines between right and wrong.
Masculinity - The soldiers in the play each represent different models of masculinity, from the aggressive and defiant Bamforth, to the stoic and duty-bound Sergeant Mitchem and the inexperienced private Whitaker. These contrasting personas reflect the various expectations and ideals of masculinities rooted in British culture of the 1950s.
Racism and Xenophobia - The play starkly highlights the prevalent racist and xenophobic attitudes held by the British towards the ‘other’, in this case the Japanese. Hall uses such attitudes to examine the role of nationalism in fueling such prejudices.

Influence of the Historical Period

Post-War Britain - The social and political climate of post-war Britain greatly impacts the context of the play. The characters’ attitudes and behaviors are greatly influenced by the traumatic experiences of the WWII, the changes in the British Empire, and the impending Cold War.
Changing Empire - Hall, through his work, mirrors the dilemma faced by Britain as it grappled with the shift from an empire to a commonwealth. The theme of the prisoner’s national rights and the soldiers’ confusion over their obligations reflects the evolving geopolitical circumstances of the time.
Nuclear Threat - The timespan of the story, the early Cold War era, instilled a grim anxiety throughout Britain. The threat of a nuclear war was real and palpitable, and this is reflected in the charged, tense atmosphere within the soldiers’ hut.