The Long and the Short and the Tall: style

Style of “The Long and the Short and the Tall”

Realism

The play employs a realistic style of dialogue that captures the authentic voices of ordinary British soldiers, contributing directly and significantly to characterisation.
The verbatim style is used to exhibit distinct regional accents, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of the soldiers from various parts of Britain.
The setting - a single, confined shelter in the jungle - supports the claustrophobic feel of the narrative. The environment surrounds the soldiers creating a sense of imminent peril.
The narrative unfolds in real time, enhancing the sense of credibility and immediacy.

Characterisation through Dialogue

The reactions and attitudes of the characters to their situation are conveyed through dialogue rather than action. This highlights the psychological aspect of warfare.
Offensive and crude language is frequently used to convey the soldiers’ frustration, fear, and hostility.

Dramatic Irony

There is a significant use of dramatic irony, whereby the audience knows more than the characters, for example, the audience is aware that the radio is broken and incapable of sending messages.
Dramatic irony creates a sense of impending doom and raises the stakes for the characters, intensifying the overall drama.

Symbolism and Foreshadowing

“The Long and the Short and the Tall” makes use of symbolism. For instance, the cigarette case belonging to the Japanese prisoner serves as a powerful symbol of shared humanity.
The playwright uses foreshadowing to hint at forthcoming events. The radio plays a big role in this, as its inability to receive messages from headquarters foreshadows the troops’ fate.

Dramatic Tension

Intense dramatic sequences and suspenseful silences are skilfully utilised throughout the play to heighten dramatic tension.
Characters’ internal conflicts and external argument augment tension, contributing to an atmosphere of unease and uncertainty.

Thematic Development

Over the course of the play, the author uses style elements to powerfully communicate the themes of war, humanity, morality and the dehumanising effect of harsh conditions.
Important issues are raised and explored about loyalty, hierarchy, duty, and prejudice.