First Death Theme

The novel ‘After the First Death’ written by Robert Cormier utilise character construction to explore the issue of relationship dilemma and betrayal. The issue of relationship dilemma is presented through the detached and estrange father and son relationship between a teenager, Ben and his reticent father, General Mark Marchland. The issue is also displayed through Artkin, the impassive terrorist leader and his apprentice, Miro, where their relationship lacks mutual trust. Cormier explores the issue of betrayal through General Mark’s betrayal to Ben and Miro who betrayed Artkin by failing to save him. Through the use of characters, the author conveys the message that an impractical relationship with the absence of mutual trust can be the central

General Marchand is constructed as a secretive father who has no true connection to his teenage son, Ben. The general is a powerful man who works for a secret military organisation. Thus, Marchand scarcely reveals anything about himself or his work to Ben, hence causing him to become a stranger to his own son, where Marchand perceives Ben as a ‘member of staff’. General Mark considers he knows Ben ‘better than anyone’ and knew whether his son was ‘doomed to failure or not’ as he observes Ben through monitoring without actually involving himself in Ben’s life. General Mark is depicted by his son as ‘the phantom… the actor’, therefore; enable readers to comprehend that Ben feels incoherent to his own father. Ben also defines himself as ‘an accident of birth’, therefore, demonstrates the negligence he endures and is convinced he is a shame to his father. However, despite his father’s action, Ben would risk his life to ‘honour’ his father. Through the character of General Mark Marchand, Cormier enables the readers to explore the issue of relationship dilemma, where a father conceals himself from his son, which displays absence of confidence that caused the

General Mark Marchand and Miro are both constructed to have a relationship dilemma with the person they betrays, thus present the idea that betrayal is the consequence of a relationship without trust. General Marchand betrays his own son, Ben, as he has scepticism on Ben’s competences to succeed in honouring him and serve his country. Miro believes he betrayed Artkin by reaching for the bus driver instead of warning Artkin about the attack and consequently results Artkin’s death. General Marchand assigns an important task to Ben; however, Marchand gave Ben false information with the knowledge that Ben would be a failure. General Marchand describes Ben as ‘a scapegoat’ who is used to ‘absorb the blame’. This shows that Marchand deceived Ben with a sense of trust by revealing his secret and betrayed Ben by expecting him ‘on being a coward’. Thus, Marchand betrays Ben as he did not have high expectations of his son’s capabilities and loyalty. Miro believes that he was ‘responsible for Artkin’s death’ because he felt he had yet again disappointed Artkin. Miro then feels guilt over his betrayal to Artkin, whereas General Marchand stills defends himself after Ben’s death because he never trust Ben. Both General Marchand and Miro betray a person whom they did not share equivalent amount of trust. Cormier uses these characters to present the idea that betrayal is often the consequence