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Deathwatch - chapter analysis and questions

Following each chapter analysis will be a series of questions. You do not have to submit your
responses for evaluation. However, these questions will be discussed in tutorial and revisited on the
exam so it is strongly advised you do them.

Chapter ONE
Previously, you learned the different points of view a writer could choose when writing a story. He can
tell the story through the eyes of the main participant, using "I" - first person. He can tell the story from
the vantage point of an outside 'being' which can see into the hearts and minds of all the characters,
using "he" and "she" - omniscient. He can tell the story from the point of view of an outside "being" but
only reveal the thoughts and feelings of one of the characters - limited omniscient. He can tell the story
from an objective point of view, in which all of the action is reported, but he cannot see within the
minds and hearts of any of the characters.
Choice of view point may appear to be an arbitrary decision, but for an effective writer, it is not. The
vantage point from which we view the events can dramatically affect our opinion, interpretation, and
attitude. It can also satisfy our desire to know everything, or leave us wondering -- in suspense.
Robb White has chosen limited omniscient as his point of view. We are privy to the thoughts and
feelings of Ben but not of Madec. It definitely adds to the suspense of the novel by not permitting us
any insight into the 'madman'. We, like Ben, can only attempt to interpret his actions and analyze his
words to try to characterize the man. We do not truly know what he will do or is capable of doing. If
Robb White chose omniscient point of view and let us see into the heart and mind of Madec, we would
have a very different atmosphere, don't you think?
Through his attitude, opinions, words and actions, however, we learn a lot about Madec. We see all of
these aspects as Ben sees them. Sometimes, via limited omniscient view point, we are privy to Ben's
reaction to and opinion of these glimpses into Madec's character. The novel starts with a tense,
confrontational situation between Ben and Madec. Madec's "Keep quiet!" (p.9) whispered 'fiercely' to
his guide's advice of waiting to see horns, makes it clear that the two men are not compatible. Madec
has hired a guide to show him to his game, not to advise him on what to do when he finds the game.
Madec is clearly not a man used to being or willing to be controlled.
Ben has hired himself out as a guide in order to raise money for his college. He clearly disapproves of
sport game hunting and makes his opinion known to Madec. This, in itself, causes tension between the
two men. The fact that Ben is willing to hire himself out to aid in a practice of which he disapproves
reveals something to us about Ben. Would you be willing to partake in something you found morally
distasteful if the price was right? Perhaps it would depend on how strongly you disapproved. Maybe it
is a sacrifice most people must make at some point in order to attain their own goals. In this case,
Ben's need for tuition outweighed his distaste for Madec and his venture.
Ben does not appear to be willing, however, to aid Madec in killing big horn until he hits the right
trophy. He agrees to keep on the hunt with Madec, but plans to lead him to areas where Madec will
have little hope of spotting another sheep. What is being said about Ben's moral standards here? He
decides, for the money for tuition, to, in effect, take Madec's money in return for services he will in
essence, fail to provide. This is a little deceitful, isn't it? However, again, it seems quite human. In Ben,
we have a protagonist who can be identified clearly as a round character. He is neither all good, nor all
bad. He is human.
PAGE 2 DEATHWATCHANALYSIS
questions
1. What do we learn about Madec in the first chapter? List at least five things we now about him from
his words, his actions, what Ben reveals about his dealings with him, or other details revealed in the
story.
2. Identify three main differences between Ben and Madec. Are these differences significant? Would
they interfere with the men being friends in another setting? Why or why not?
3. Where does the story take place? (Hint: Edwards Air Force Base is referred to. Find out where that
is).
4. What or who startled the big horn sheep and sent them running?


Chapter TWO
The discovery of what or who Madec had actually shot elicits two different reactions from the
characters. These reactions reveal much about their individual characters.
Madec quickly tries to pass off the man as a ewe, and is more than willing to simply move on with the
hunt. He claims not to have noticed it was a man, but his attempts to prevent Ben from going in for a
closer look make that seem unlikely. He killed a man, arguably by accident, and is willing to move on
as if nothing happened. What does this say about his character? His morality? He is extremely
egocentric. This means that his concerns center totally on himself. He is not concerned in the least for
the life he has taken; his main concern is for his own life. Or perhaps for the hunt he may miss out on
now that this 'mishap' threatens to interfere with his quest. Madec is not visibly shaken by the
discovery he has killed someone; he does not need a few minutes to compose himself. In fact, it takes
him surprisingly little time to concoct a story, first that he had missed, and then that it was a ewe.
This quick thinking reveals Madec as a survivor. He is very egocentric, and as is the case with most
egocentrics, adept at protecting himself. He is a predator in the business world as revealed by Ben's
accounts of Madec's stories. He always wins the deals, and someone always gets hurt. He is also a
survivor in that if you are not the predator, you are the prey. He looks out for number one. He is aware
enough to separate Ben from Ben's rifle, devise a conflicting scenario by shooting the corpse with
Ben's gun, and develop an argument to present to Ben. He is intelligent and quick-thinking.
Ben, however, cannot even consider leaving the dead prospector, even though he is dead and there is
little Ben can do for the man. He immediately is devising a method of taking the body into the
authorities. Why? Because that is the 'right' thing to do. Ben is basically decent. He treats the dead
man with gentleness, and he wishes to see the man's death dealt with according to the rules of society
and the law. He does deliberate whether it was necessary to "stain a blanket" (pg. 22) but decides it is,
because it is the decent and civilized thing to do, to shroud the body. He does not recognize Madec as
a threat which is revealed in his acceptance of the suggestion he leave his rifle. He clearly does not
believe Madec killed the man on purpose or he would have treated him with more caution. Ben is not
so adept at protecting himself; he is not so skilled at survival. He does not recognize Madec as a threat
until it is basically pointed out to him by Madec. The reader can recognize that Madec will not easily
return, with the body of the man he has shot, to the authorities. Ben just assumes he will. So we can
add somewhat naive to our list of Ben's traits.

PAGE 3 DEATHWATCHANALYSIS
questions
1. What is the old man doing in the hills?
2. What does Madec suggest to Ben they do about the old man? Would most people have reacted to
Madec's offer the way Ben did? Would you?
3. What is Madec's argument for doing things his way? Is it logical? Explain.
4. How did the old man get shot twice?
5. Why does Ben decide it is 'worth staining a blanket'?


Chapter THREE
Ben is still not recognizing Madec as a threat. Madec, however, has analyzed his predicament quite
thoroughly. He fears a trial in a rural town, and quite reasonably, fears he will face a prejudiced jury or
judge. He thinks Ben's testimony will be unflattering, and, again, that is a reasonable assumption. He is
more of a realist in that he sees the harsher side of the world. He sees what could go wrong; he sees
what endangers him. To survive you need to be aware of that which can harm you. Madec is a
survivor. He has already deliberated and decided; they are not returning to town with the body.
Madec's reasoning for protecting himself above others is actually quite logical; he is valuable as a
provider to a family and to his workers. He is a productive, in industry, member of society. He is
needed. The old man and Ben are not. They are dispensable and disposable. Although logical, his
reasoning is cold and inhumane. His egocentricism reaches new heights as he deems himself worthy
of judging the value of others.
On the other hand, Ben sees no alternative. He believes that Madec's best chances are to be honest
and he still believes, sadly, that he has a say in the decision. He does not perceive the threat and
therefore is in grave danger. Ben doesn't really realize his predicament until Madec shoots his toe. He
is stripped of clothing, protection, and is sent out without food or water. He is in dire straits and for
most, facing certain death. In the last part of the chapter, Ben finally begins to think like a survivor. He
is aware of the threat, Madec. And he is looking out for his interests; he will take the boots from a dead
man.
questions
1. How does Madec explain his idea of a "contingency"?
2. On page 40 Madec explains why he is a more important person than Ben. Do you agree with his
reasons? Does Ben seem like a "loser"?


Chapter FOUR
Within this chapter, White develops a sense of isolation and frustration by leading Ben through a series
of highs and lows. He thinks he has outsmarted Madec, only to find that Madec has already had the
same idea. Madec is one step ahead of Ben, so far, every step.
The pleasure Madec seems to be deriving from 'playing' with Ben leads us to see that this is more than
simply hiding the murder of the old prospector. If all Madec was interested in was hiding the accidental
PAGE 4 DEATHWATCHANALYSIS
death of the old man, he could simply kill Ben and bury him out in the desert. This has become a
competition, a game, a sport. Like most of the sports that Madec enjoys, one side of the competition is
woefully disadvantaged. Ben has no food, no clothes, no shelter and no weapon. Any attempts to
secure one or more of these basic needs are quickly thwarted by Madec. He could easily shout out to
Ben not to bother returning to the prospector's camp, to leave the jug as he has already rendered it
useless, but he chooses instead to watch the sudden rise and fall of his opponent. It is a psychological
game as much as it is a physical game. He is messing with Ben's mind; he is destroying Ben's hopes.
We accompany Ben on these roller coaster emotions as White has chosen to show us only Ben's
emotions and thoughts. In this manner we can experience the same frustration and exasperation. The
tension is building and the hopelessness overwhelming. It would appear that Ben will certainly die;
then the sling shot is found.
The slingshot is a symbol. A symbol is something concrete to represent an idea or an intangible idea.
This slingshot is a weapon, however primitive, and represents a basic need. Ben has finally managed
to attain one of his requirements for survival - protection and a method of hunting. It is not a great find;
he may well never have a chance to use it. However, it also symbolizes Madec's fallibility. He didn't
know it was there. He hasn't covered all the possibilities. He can make mistakes and therefore he is
not invincible. Ben, and the readers, are given hope.
The protagonist is not only the main character of a piece of fiction; he is also the character with which
the reader's sympathies usually lie. We are rooting for Ben; not for Madec (I would hope!). The author
skilfully fosters this sympathy by letting us experience, and therefore relate to, Ben's struggle. We can
all relate to his euphoria when he thinks he has a plan and his bitter disappointment to find he has
been outwitted. The jug is the ultimate disappointment. He thinks he has thought of something Madec
did not. We feel his hope. The hope is smashed as effectively as the bottom of the pail. Again, the
smashed jug can also be defined as symbolic. Ben's hopes have been smashed by Madec.

questions
1. Identify examples of Madec's cleverness/intelligence.
2. How does the incident with the watering can emphasize Madec's cruelty?
3. How does the paragraph about the stars (p.51) reflect Ben's feelings?
4. What does Ben find in the old man's box? How might this be useful?
5. Why does Ben leave the other things in the old man's tin box?


Chapter FIVE
Madec's torment of Ben continues in this chapter. Again, we face hope in the form of the catch basin
only to have that hope shattered when Madec uses the hornet to keep Ben away from the water. There
is an irony in this situation; Ben is being kept away from water, his chance of survival, by his own gun,
once his other tool of survival. It is reconfirmed that Madec is playing with Ben. He aims to miss him at
the basin. He may hit him by accident, Ben realizes, but that is not his intent. He only wishes to
torment Ben a little more. He sits in Ben's jeep, with Ben's supplies, keeping Ben away from any hope
of survival. He could simply drive away and be relatively certain Ben would never survive a trip out of
PAGE 5 DEATHWATCHANALYSIS
the desert. But he wants to watch. He wants Ben to see him watch. Madec is being revealed as an
immoral character.
The differences between the moral development of the two men is illustrated through Ben's
recollection of the family he helped search for. The fact he volunteered to search shows altruistic
tendencies but his grief, "it had almost made him cry" at seeing the mother's futile attempts to save her
children, show he is compassionate. He has compassion for those he does not even know. Madec has
none.
Despite the series of disappointments, Ben does not resign to die in the desert. He has a tenacious
desire to survive. He forces himself to think of the next plan, as each is blocked by Madec.

questions
1. How does Ben explain the difference between fear and foreboding?
2. On page 60 Ben wonders if Madec would deliberately shoot him. Would he? Explain.
3. Why doesn't Ben go north, away from Madec?
4. What are Ben's three choices? (pg. 64) Which sounds the best to you? Why?
5. On page 65 the author notes, "Mechanics, machines, supplies were not a part of this game. in the
final analysis, even the guns were not a part of it". What does he mean? What will determine the
winner of this deadly game?


Chapter SIX
The first paragraph of this chapter shows the transition of Ben from the guided thoughts of a human to
the instinctual thoughts of an animal. He 'senses' his enemy, much like a hunted animal. The danger
he senses is of course, Madec, destroying Ben's only hope of survival in the form of the sandy catch
basin. After watching this practice in cruelty, Ben finally accepts that he is in a "struggle for life itself--a
struggle with no niceties, no rules of behaviour, no sportsmanship, no gentlemanly conduct." He
realizes that the 'game' has gone too far for Madec to change his mind, even if he wanted to. As
painful and depressing this realization is, it is an important step for Ben to take in order to survive. Ben
finally recognizes and acknowledges his enemy. While he still held hope that Madec would change his
mind, while he refused to believe that a man could be so evil, he could not act effectively.
Ben's thoughts as he realizes he his slowly dying reflect back to the many 'near misses' he has faced.
This reveals some more about this character. He has lived a life of risk and chances. He has faced
death before. This time is different though, in that he can 'think' about how close he is to death. The
other experiences were quick and over, leaving him to think about how close he had come to death,
from safety.
The chapter also gives us a bit of a geology lesson, as it traces the creation on the desert and
mountain ranges. The land on which this battle unfolds is as old as time. Likewise, the struggle for life
Ben faces is as old as time. The discussion of the two hundred million of years it took to arrive at its
present state, also proves to exemplify the insignificance of Ben's struggle. Only Ben, and Ben alone,
cares if he lives. This is just a moment in the millions of years of evolution. To him it is a life; to the rest
of the world it is a blink. It also highlights the fact that the struggle for survival is one that has been
carried on for eternity, and continues infinitely.
PAGE 6 DEATHWATCHANALYSIS
Ben makes his first really active move in survival by attempting to remove him from Madec's sites. He
heads for the butte in hopes of a crevice, in which to hide and perhaps find away through. He goes out
at night time, while Madec sleeps. This makes him less visible to Madec but also allows him to move in
the relative coolness of night. He could not possibly survive in the sun.

questions
1. What has Madec done to the catch basin? What does this prove about him?
2. Why does Ben think the Jeep is so important?
3. Which way does Ben choose to walk? How far is it to safety?
4. Explain the following sentence, "That was all Ben needed to see and for a second he felt a great
triumph, for he knew now where he was going" (p.74).
5. When is the saguaro cactus full grown?
6. Why is Ben happy to see a giant saguaro?
7. In what way is the Gila woodpecker smarter than people?
8. On page 69. the author uses the idea of a chain holding Ben and Madec together. Why is a chain a
good symbol of their situation? What examples have we seen so far of this struggle having "no rules of
behaviour, no sportsmanship, no gentlemanly conduct."


Chapters SEVEN and EIGHT
This chapter requires extensive visualization to follow what Ben is doing. You may need to get out a
pencil and paper and try to sketch the chimney and sketch Ben's positioning over, in, down, and going
up it. You may need to reread several times, closing your eyes and trying to imagine what was
described.

The focus of this chapter is less on the conflict of man vs. man, Ben vs. Madec, and more on the
conflict of man vs. environment, Ben vs. the butte, the chimney, his thirst, his pain. In fact we do not
hear of Madec at all in Chapter Seven. Ben is focusing on overcoming the physical obstacles nature
provides. His abilities, in such poor physical condition are super-human. We may wonder how
plausible this may be but one should remember that people on the brink of death can be capable of
amazing feats. Perhaps when we have nothing to lose, we are more prone to risk whatever is
necessary. This lack of inhibition affords more opportunities.
In Chapter Eight we are rudely reminded of Madec's presence as he shoots Ben. He is no longer
aiming to miss. Ben realizes that if he is shot off the butte, what's left of his body at the end of his fall
would not tell the whole story. Madec realizes this as well. If he bothers to let anyone know there is a
body! He shoots Ben and Ben feels little pain. The bullet passes right through. Again, people near
death are sometimes able to block out pain, in the interest of survival. The pain of the bullet in this
case, seems to be overwhelmed and overshadowed by the pain of thirst.
Ben overcomes the chasm placed in front of him, and is rewarded with a "lake".


PAGE 7 DEATHWATCHANALYSIS
questions
1. What are the stages of a person dying of thirst?
2. What is Ben's greatest fear?
3. How does Ben know he can't survive much longer?
4. Why does Ben say that he has been "cheated, he had been robbed" (p.99)?
5. What does Ben discover at the end of the tunnel? Why is this so important?


Chapter NINE The lake is revealed as more of a pond, with shallow, dirty water. It tastes foul and
dusty yet, "it was delicious". The utter relief and enormous gift is exemplified by this paradox. A
paradox is when two ideas are placed side by side and seem to contradict each other but in fact they
can offer a 'deeper' truth. The paradox here is the water is dirty and foul yet it tastes delicious. How
can this be? The apparent contradiction makes us stop and think. This is wrong. Can't be. But...well, if
you were dying of thirst, any water would taste 'delicious'. The paradoxical way the fact was presented,
makes us stop and 'see' it more effectively.

The water brings back a lot of strength for Ben and he is able to focus beyond just surviving. He
practices his weapon and become proficient. The slingshot proves to be an effective weapon, even
'lethal'. He captures food and forces himself to overcome his civilized nature and eats meat raw. He
must become more animal to survive.
Basic needs of food and water have now been met and Ben must soon deal with the "one enormous
thing"...Madec.

questions
1. What usually happens when people dying of thirst are rescued? Why is this strange?
2. Describe the lake Ben found?
3. Why would Ben feel hunger now and not earlier?
4. Why would the light at the ends of the tunnel be different now?
5. What is the importance of the slingshot?
6. Where did Ben get the buckshot?
7. How does Ben plan to cook his prey next time?


Chapters TEN and ELEVEN
Chapter Ten sees Ben recuperating and gaining strength. With strength, Ben gains hope. He becomes
introspective, and analyzes his situation more realistically. He knows Madec will not leave until he is
sure Ben is dead. The image of the 'chain' is introduced again to illustrate how the two men are tied
together. They will not be separated except by force; one cannot leave the other alive. So far in the
novel, chance and coincidence have had a strong role in the events of the novel.
PAGE 8 DEATHWATCHANALYSIS
The difference between 'chance' and 'coincidence' is subtle but profound. Coincidence is defined as
"the occurrence of events that happen at the same time by accident but seem to have some
connection" and chance is defined as "something that happens unpredictably without discernible
human intention or observable cause". In literature the difference is more identifiable. Coincidence is
things that happen by accident but seem to fit the needs of the character; manipulation of events by
the author could be noted. Chance in literature however, is less structured. Things that happen that
don't connect with other events, but never the less further the plot.
For example it is chance that Madec shoots the old man. This event is not planned, and does not really
'connect' neatly with a package of events.
However, it could be deemed coincidence that Ben reaches the last stages of dehydration and then,
just then, finds water. There is evidence of manipulation by the author. The water could have been
found before the itch; however, finding it at the last minute heightened the suspense.
And in Chapter Eleven it is chance that the helicopter is so near and yet does not see or hear Ben.
However, it is more coincidence that the pilot just happens to believe in leaving a chopper running non-
stop all day. Such proximity of saviours is frustrating to the reader and furthers the plot by lending
suspense. The fact that the pilot is a friend and colleague of Ben's furthers the irony. Irony, as you
remember, is when the expected doesn't happen, or the unexpected happens. It is a difference
between what we would think and what is, a twist. It is ironic that the man, like Ben, who knows the
desert the best and whose job it is to save those in distress, is unaware of one in desperate need of
his help. There is also suspense furthered in these chapters by the way of unanswered questions; who
is the other man?
Ben is not saved and he is not devastated as he would have been earlier in the novel. He is becoming
stronger. He handles the set back, with calm conviction. A significant change in Ben is noticeable in
these chapters. He is turning from the desperate man to the confident man. He is no longer running
scared by planning confidently. He realizes his enemy and is making plans to take control of the
situation. Up until this point, Madec has controlled Ben. Now, Ben is making plans to control his own
fate.

This change in Ben's attitude and personality would define him as a dynamic character.


questions
1. What are the 'voices' Ben hears and why don't they scare him?
2. Why didn't Ben ever shave when he went on long trips in the desert?
3. In this chapter Ben again speaks of the "chain" between Madec and him. How can he shorten it?
Why must he?
4. What is Madec's plan? Why is it so much easier for Madec to climb than for Ben?
5. How does Ben Know Denny O'Neil is the pilot?
6. Describe the man with Denny. Why is Ben sure the man isn't Les Stanton?
7 Why is it especially insulting to Ben to think of being killed by Madec?
8. When Madec walks back to the jeep, what does Ben notice about him?

PAGE 9 DEATHWATCHANALYSIS
Chapter TWELVE
This chapter shows how the battle between these two men is more of a mental game than a game of
strength. Madec no longer seems to have the upper hand even though he still holds all the water, food,
weapons, and basic needs. As readers we begin to believe that Ben could win the "game". What instils
that confidence in us is the change in Ben. He has a plan. He stops running and faces his enemy. He
decides to 'shorten the chain'. His plan would appear to be to lay in wait, and take Madec by surprise.
He does not miss the symbolism of the hole he digs and crawls into; he knows it could well be his
grave. The symbolism goes even further in that if it is to be his grave, he dug it. He has taken control
from Madec.

questions
1. List Ben's three possible plans. What is the problem with each one?
2. What is Ben's plan? What do you think of this plan? Could you do it?
3. How does Ben use the two tubes from the sling shot?
4. What fears does Ben have as he waits in the sand?


Chapter THIRTEEN
This chapter sees the revealing of Ben's plan. He plans to challenge Madec from a position of surprise.
He will use the fact that Madec believes Ben to be somewhere he is in fact not, to his advantage. This
plan further illustrates that the battle between these two men is not so much a physical battle of
strength, but a more subtle battle of wits. Madec, however, proves to be a worthy opponent. He has
disabled the gun, he has disabled the jeep, he has covered his bases in case Ben managed to get to
the camp. Ben, however, overcomes any disappointment and set back and continues to think and
plan. Madec, in this chapter, is not the main antagonist. Ben's own mind, his own self is. The obstacles
Ben must overcome in this chapter involve his own mental state. While lying, helpless in the sandy
grave, he must overcome fears that threaten to overwhelm him; he is helpless, easily killed by Madec if
discovered. Then he must overcome a sense of hopelessness when he again realizes Madec has
thwarted his plans. The fact that Ben faces, overcomes, and recovers from these obstacles, shows
how much he has grown. He is calm, confident, and adaptable. His resourcefulness shows a survivor
instinct.


questions
1. How has Madec foiled Ben's plans?
2. How does Ben get Madec to come back from the butte?
3. Who has the upper hand at the end of Chapter 13?
4. Explain how the author uses the idea of a chain to show how Ben's situation changes.



PAGE 10 DEATHWATCHANALYSIS
Chapter FOURTEEN
In this chapter, Ben actually gains control of the situation for the first time since the beginning.
However, he has not won the game yet. Madec makes it clear he has not surrendered or admitted
defeat. His mind is cold and calculating; he is not easily overcome either. He begins another mental
game with Ben. He plays on Ben's basic honesty and compassion. "I'm hurt, aren't you going to help
me" and "I didn't think you were like that". His attempts to manipulate Ben via his sense of decency
fail. Therefore, Madec attempts to appeal to baser instincts: greed. He offers Ben money and Ben
refuses. Madec's character is further revealed as deceitful and dangerous. He says he can get Ben in
trouble, he says Ben may not be believed. He admits to being an accomplished and practiced liar. We
believe him; Ben believes him. It is clear during this chapter that the game is not over. Ben, however,
seems to be in denial to a degree. Part of him still thinks, or hopes, that when they get back to
'civilization' everything will be fair and civilized again.

questions
1. Page 159 describes Madec staring at Ben. How do you interpret Madec's look - "A steady, cold,
intelligent probing?" Why is it not anger, defeat or fear?
2. Before heading back to town why does Ben stop to get the old man's body? What does this tell you
about Ben's character?
3. What 'jungle' does Madec live in?
4. During the conversation in the jeep, many differences show up between Ben and Madec. List some
of these differences.
5. Would most poor, college age, men accept Madec's offer? Would you? Why doesn't Ben?


Chapter FIFTEEN

Ben and Madec's arrival in town does not provide the joy and relief Ben had anticipated. There is a
tension in the arrival which grows and festers. No one who is familiar and close to Ben is present; no
one to offer comfort or believe him seems to be in town on that particular night. The attitude toward
Ben is one of distrust and wariness form the start. The way the other characters treat Ben lead us to
predict that he will not be believed. The Madec's in the world demand respect with money and power.
The Ben's in the world are doubted when the Madec's point fingers. By the end of the chapter we
clearly see that Ben's blind faith in right and wrong has been misplaced; he is arrested for assault. The
irony is very obvious in this situation. The true criminal is being tended to with compassion and mercy;
the man who stands for these virtues is being locked up in jail.

questions
1. How does the deputy's reaction to Madec and the old man differ?
2. How does Madec threaten Ben? Do you think Madec is really that powerful?
3. What two circumstances hurt Ben in this chapter?
4. Why does Ben receive such rough treatment from the doctor and the nurse?
5. How does Madec's shooting of the prospector twice, seem to be working to his advantage?
6. How does the multiple shooting incriminate Ben?
PAGE 11 DEATHWATCHANALYSIS
Chapters SIXTEEN and SEVENTEEN
In the conclusion of the novel we see that things, once again, do not unfold as Ben thinks they will.
Madec is believed; Ben is not. The older voice, with money and power is believed over the poor, local
kid. Even those he thought would believe him based on mutual respect and long term association, do
not believe him. His own uncle does not believe him. Madec is winning the game again. It would
appear that Ben will be punished for Madec's crimes.
Eventually, Ben wins the assembled "jury's" belief when he uses his intelligence to formulate a
defence; to prove his innocence. This is definitely a case of guilty until proven innocent. And it appears
the only one interested in proving Ben innocent is Ben. Even the doctor, who eventually aids in Ben's
defence, is doing so out of his own pride and self-confidence.
There is a sad statement made by these final chapters. The events convey the idea that although, one
may lead a decent life, being honest and decent to others, he will be overridden by money and power.
Even those closest, family and friends, can be swayed to believe the words of a skilled liar. There is a
depressing irony in Hondurak's words, "you see, it was just so hard for me to believe that any man
could do the things he did to another man. I just couldn't believe it." The irony, is that he couldn't
believe Madec was capable of such horrors, yet he was ready to believe that a man he had watched
grow up with a decent set of values, could shoot an old man three times over a bighorn and then shoot
Madec to keep him quiet.
Ben reinforces our judgment of him as a decent human being when he is given the opportunity to exact
revenge on Madec. He could choose to follow the 'murder' take on the situation. Madec no longer
looks very credible and Ben could easily destroy him by insisting that the prospector's death was
intentional. Instead he refuses, "(he) came in (here) to report an accident".

questions
1. How did the slingshot disappear?
2. What evidence is Ben's best hope of convincing the justice of the peace and the sheriff that he, not
Madec, is telling the truth?
3. How do Mr. Madec's lawyers respond to the evidence?
4. How do Mr. Madec's lawyers explain Ben's gun wound?
5. The doctor's findings clear Ben. What are the four parts to the doctor's statement?
6. Who was the man who left the chopper to talk to Madec the day it landed by the butte? Explain why
Ben didn't recognize him? (3 marks)
7. How did the doctor conclude that the .358 killed the prospector rather than the two Hornet bullets?
(2 marks)
8. Explain the last paragraph on page 219. "Nobody said anything"
9. Explain Ben's last statement on page 220. Why wouldn't he want to press charges? Should he?
10. Is the ending satisfying? Would the ending have been better if Madec were convicted and
imprisoned? Why or why not?