Hopelessness And Hope In The Fat Man By Maurice Gee

Maurice Gee indicates that hopelessness and hope are explored with techniques throughout ‘The Fat Man’. Hopelessness is shown through the opening pages when Collin was controlled by the fat man to get fed. Hopelessness is shown Verna and Bette when they are abused or forced with matters. Hope is revealed towards the end of the novel, the fat man falls into the river killing himself which shows hope to the suffering characters controlled by him.

Gee develops hopelessness in Collin throughout relying on Herbert Muskie for food. Gee foreshadows the audience that Collin is hopeless through interactions with Herbert. The first time Herbert saw Collin, Herbert took control of him to make him feel hopeless, idolising and respecting Herbert by answering

Gee tells the audience that Verna and Bette are being bullied by Herbert through conversations with Collin. Verna tells Collin that Bette deals with physical, emotional, and sexual abuse from Herbert daily, therefore having a hopeless relationship. Sexual abuse happens when Bette refuses to “wash him in the bath” (p.78), which Bette does not want to do. Therefore, Gee showing context of hopelessness for Bette in the situation. Gee conveys that Bette has “got black eyes all the time” (p.109) at the housewarming party in Muskie’s home. Gee indicates hyperbole and symbolises that Herbert physically abuses Bette commonly showing hopelessness. Gee shows that Bette has no rights to interfere with a haircut as she strikes, “No!” (p.117) but is immediately silenced by Herbert by words “keep away” (p.117). This context displays hopelessness through both characters, even though Bette protests to Herbert that Verna should not have a haircut, she is hopeless as Herbert is too powerful to cave into Bette’s demands. Gee indicates Bette and Verna are shown as hopeless in situations controlled by Herbert and heard that both have been abused many times by