The word "monster" has many
definitions. Some define it as a
creature having a frightening or strange appearance. It is also defined as one that inspires
horror or disgust. Ben certainly fits
into all of these categories. He was
different right from pregnancy. He looks
extremely frightening, almost like a Neanderthal. Ben is an outcast even in an institution for
"nature's mistakes."
From the moment Harriet became pregnant it was
apparent to her that something was obviously wrong. She loved having children and had planned on
a total of eight or perhaps even ten.
However, something was different this time. Early in the pregnancy, she began feeling
ill. She had been keeping herself very
busy in order not to feel the "demands" from the new being. It was unlike anything she had known before.
At five months the pain was so intense that Harriet began taking
tranquilizers. Even during her pregnancy,
Harriet began referring to Ben as the "monster." During a conversation with Dr. Brett after he
refused to induce the baby, she is quoted as saying, "It's because you
don't want to. It's not you who is
carrying this-" (She cut off monster afraid of antagonizing him.) (p. 47) At eight months she went into labor. Although she had never gone to the hospital
before for her other deliveries, this time she insisted. This shocked everyone, especially her husband
David.
Ben was not your
typical baby. "A real little
wrestler," said Dr. Brett. "He
came out fighting the whole world." (p. 48) Ben was eleven pounds at birth. None of the other children were more than
seven. He was heavy-shouldered and
hunched over. His forehead sloped from
his eyebrows to his crown. Even his hair
pattern was erratic. His hands were
thick and heavy and contained pads of muscle.
His piercing eyes were greeny-yellow in nature and focused on Harriet
from the moment he was born. "He's
like a troll, or a goblin or something." said Harriet. (p. 49) Ben actually resembled a Neanderthal!
Although Harriet
was apprehensive, David, as well as the entire family, decided it was best if
they put Ben into an institution. A
small black van came one morning to take Ben away. This institution was not a place that
prepared children to become part of society.
It was a horrific place that kept all their patients completely drugged
and starved them until they eventually died.
There were all types of "mistakes" here. Numerous cots engrossed the hallways
containing children whose appearances were hideous at best. One child lacked the back of his skull,
exposing his brain. Another was
literally split in two. Amongst these
terrible tragedies, Ben still managed to stick out. He was so incredibly strong that he warranted
his own room, more sedatives than any other child had ever received, and had to
remain in a strait jacket 24 hours a day.
"He's so strong-I've never seen anything like it." Said the
girl at the institution. (p. 83)
As you can see,
Ben is no ordinary child. From the
moment he was conceived, Harriet just knew something was wrong. His physical appearance as well as his
actions easily place him in the category of monster.
No comments:
Post a Comment