An approach to teaching Robert Cormier’s After the First Death.

by Christopher Ingham
February 3, 2001

A) Introduction:

After the First Death is a complex and controversial novel. Its complexity lies in both its narrative structure and the way in which it treats its subject matter, and its controversy relates to the fact that, when dealing with emotional subjects such as terrorism and patriotism, Cormier is generally seen by critics as refusing to take a morally simplistic position regarding right and wrong: The terrorists do not wear baddies’ black hats, nor the government white. In your consideration of the text, you will need to determine the extent to which you agree with this view.

In addition to exploring the nature of terrorism and the ways in which governments respond to it, Cormier delves into more complex psychological areas involving trust and betrayal, father/ son relationships, personal values and responsibility verses public duty, and the nature of guilt. In his consideration of these issues, Cormier appears to provide no easy answers; the reader is confronted and challenged and required to make decisions. The reader is expected to accept responsibility for those decisions in much the same way as the characters have to accept responsibility for their decisions and actions.

However, there is always the possibility that Cormier may be using the fact that the reader is likely to identify with particular characters to persuade the reader to accept the viewpoints of those characters. Consequently, it will be important for you to be conscious of exactly why you accept or reject certain viewpoints. 

B) The structure of the novel:

In keeping with the complexity of the themes of the text, the narrative structure of the novel is relatively complex and demands an active participation from the reader; nothing is as simple as it may seem at first and the reader needs to be conscious of the possibility that what appears to be real may in fact be illusory.

The narrative structure appears to be divided into three separate, but complementary strands. A first person narrative by Ben Marchand, the son of the general in charge of the forces whose task it is to release the hostage children from their Palestinian captors. Ben’s narration appears to be present tense and concerns his relationship with his father following the release of the hostages, his part in the operation, and, to some extent, reveals his upbringing and his earlier relationship with his parents and friends.

Two third person past tense omnipotent narrations which present the events of the hijacking from two perspectives; Miro’s and Kate’s. Miro is the young Palestinian terrorist for whom this operation represents his rights of passage; he is to make his first kill. This part of the narrative also explores Miro’s relationship with Artkin, the leader of the operation and Miro’s mentor. Kate is the sixteen year old girl who is driving the bus and who is to be Miro’s first kill. When the narrative is told from her perspective, we are given insights into her past and into her attempts, not only stay alive, but also to escape from the terrorists.

In addition, we are presented with Chapter Eleven which is initially confusing and appears to contain a duologue between Ben and his father.

C) Reading the text:

As I have already indicated, because this novel demands an active participation from the reader it is not an easy text to read. You need to be alert to the fact that what you and the characters are being told may not be the truth or, more disturbingly, may not be reality; this applies particularly to Ben’s narration. 

Therefore, when you begin reading, you will need to be alert for the clues embedded in the text; clues which may not make much sense at the time but which will reveal much when you get to Chapter Eleven. 

WORKBOOK ANALYSIS.
 

Due to the complex nature of this text, it is going to be vitally important for you to complete the workbook analysis tasks as you read the novel. Because the novel contains two separate narrative styles, one concerning Ben and one concerning Miro and Kate, the workbook analysis tasks are organised into two sections; one following through the Ben strand and one following the Miro/Kate strand. This has been done so that when you have completed your reading and analysis, you will more easily be able to follow the links within each strand. However, this will mean that you will need to organise your workbook in such a way that you can complete the relevant sections as you finish your reading of them. If you have already completed your initial reading of the text, it should be possible to re-read each strand as a complete entity. 

You can now begin reading and good luck. Remember to keep looking for those clues.

BEN

Chapter One:
 

This opening chapter contains many important clues as to what is really going on in this narrative strand. Consequently, your analysis tasks will focus on alerting you to these clues and you will then have to make some tentative guesses as to their meaning and significance.
i) The first clue appears on the first page when Ben says:

But – who’s the joke on?
The first of many questions about my presence here. 
Keep a scorecard handy.

ii) Other clues in the chapter include: 

Do you want to talk about it, Mark? she asked.
My name is Ben, my father’s name is Mark. . .( page nine).

I am a skeleton rattling my bones, a ghost laughing hollow up the sleeves of my shroud, a scarecrow whose straw is soaked with blood. (pp 11-12)
 

” That description of your father. The way you described him to old Mr Chatham. You realise you were describing yourself, don’t you? “
“But Father too?”
” You decided that, Ben.”
 

I hope that you have made something out of all of these clues. However, if you haven’t, don’t worry, just keep them in mind and I am sure that they will mean something by the time you get to Chapter Eleven.

iii) What impressions have you gained of each of Ben and his father, and of their relationship?
iv) Why do you think Ben uses the idea of picture postcards?

Chapter Three:
i) What does the incident with Nettie Halversham tell us about Ben?
ii) What do we learn about Ben’s relationship with his father in this chapter?
iii) What questions are raised by the ending of the chapter(p47)?

Chapter Five:
i) This chapter opens with Ben fantasising about a western type shoot-out between him and his father. 
a) What possible reasons could there be for this fantasy?
b) Why do you think Ben sees himself as the bad guy?
ii) What further information does Ben reveal about himself, his father and their relationship in this chapter?
iii) What do you make of Ben’s comment at the top of page 74: where am I, who am I?
iv) What do you think Ben needs to confess? Why would he need absolution?
 

Chapters Seven and Nine:
In these chapters, the narration appears to shift from Ben to his father. 
i) What does General Marchand reveal about his relationship with Ben?
ii) All through his life, Ben has obviously been used as part of a psychological experiment by his father. To what extent do you think General Marchand was justified in using Ben in this way?
iii) Discuss what General Marchand reveals about his state of mind in these chapters.
iv) General Marchand talks a great deal about patriotism in these chapters.
a) What does he say about the issue?
b) To what extent do his comments on patriotism appear to be a justification for his actions?
c) What similarities can you see between Marchand and Artkin?

Chapter Ten:
What do we learn about Ben in this chapter?

Chapter Eleven:
This chapter initially appears to be confusing. However, if you look carefully at the narrative structure of the chapter, you will notice that it is an internal dialogue. 
i) Who is the narrator?
ii) Who is the second persona?
iii) What does this dialogue suggest about the psychological state of the narrator?
iv) What further information does this dialogue provide about the relationship between Ben and his father?
v) How does this chapter alter your response to the entire first person narrative stream in the novel?
vi) To what extent does this chapter affect your understanding of the novel? 

MIRO and KATE: 

Chapter Two:

In the opening paragraphs of this chapter, we are presented with a portrait of a young terrorist. However, the fact that the narrative is presented from Miro’s point of view enables the reader to identify with him. We are taken through his assignment, his conscious fears, and some aspects of his training. Whilst this in no way encourages us to condone his attitudes, we are at least given an insight into the human factor; the importance of this young man not failing his initiation, his rights of passage, into the adult world for which he appears destined.

1) The first section of Chapter Two ( pp 17-22).

i) What appears to be Miro’s attitude towards his first kill?
ii) Why does Cormier emphasise Miro’s fascination with Elvis and cartoons?
iii) What does Miro’s reflection on the bus driver suggest about his psychological state?
iv) What political comment is made in this section?
– How sophisticated is this comment?
– How convincing is it as a justification for their terrorist activities? 
v) Artkin reveals some aspect of the training which Miro has undergone through his interrogation regarding Miro’s name.
– What appears to be the aim of this training?
– What does this exercise suggest about Miro’s personality?
– What does it suggest about the relationship between Miro and Artkin?
vi) What is your initial impression of Artkin?

2) Sections two and three (pp 22-28)

i) Much of these sections is designed to present the human side of Miro so that we can relate to his innocence which he is about to lose. Carefully detail how Cormier achieves this. 
ii) What is it about Kate that forces Miro to identify with her?
iii) Miro quotes Artkin’s philosophy regarding the terrorist acts which they commit. 
– What is his philosophy?
– To what extent do you feel it is possible to justify this philosophy?
iv) What is the significance of the final statement in this section: Miro felt the presence of the gun under his jacket, like a tumour growing there.

3) Read the excerpt entitled Pins or Paper-clips from John LeCarre’s novel The Spy Who Came in from the Cold. 
i) What is Fiedler’s political philosophy?
ii) How convincing is his justification for violence?
iii) What is Leamas’s response to Fiedler’s philosophy?
iv) To what extent do you agree with Fiedler’s comment: 

That is a viewpoint I Understand. It is primitive, negative and very stupid – but it is a viewpoint, it exists.

v) Fiedler’s view is essentially a more sophisticated expression of that held by Artkin. To what extent does Fiedler’s explanation make it a more credible viewpoint?

4) Pages 32-36.

i) How is Miro affected by Kate?
ii) Why does this death concern him?
iii) What is the point in describing the violence that Miro has already experienced?
iv) Explain, in detail, Miro’s attitude to the mask?

5) Carefully detail what is revealed about Kate in Chapter Two.

Chapter Four:

1)Miro, pages 48-51:

i) This section suggests the extent to which Miro has been dehumanised. In what ways has he been dehumanised? What explanation is given for the causes of this dehumanisation?
ii) Why are the giving and following of orders so important to Miro?
ii) At this point in the operation, Miro feels isolated and inadequate. Why is this so?
iii) Why is Miro afraid of thought?

2) Kate, pp 51-55:

i) How does Kate respond to the mask?
ii) What is it about her attitude that disconcerts Miro?
iii) This section raises the idea of masks and deception; particularly the ways in which we all wear metaphoric masks in order to hide our true feelings, especially those of inadequacy, from others. What does Kate realise about metaphoric masks and how does this reveal important aspects of her character?
 
 
 

Assessment Task: 

Cormier, like many writers, appears to suggest that all human beings need to engage in continual deception in order to protect their inner selves from others. This is a major theme in Macbeth and, as you will see when you read the novel, the main character in The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield, continually lies in order to project a false image of himself. In order to explore your understanding of these views, write an essay in response to the following topic.

There will be time, there will be time
To prepare a face to meet the faces that you meet.

This response can either be a discussion of the issue or a creative response. If you choose to discuss the issue, you may make your discussion general or you may discuss the extent to which you agree with writers like Shakespeare and Cormier.

3) Kate, pp 61-64:

What is revealed about the strength of Kate’s character in this section? 

Chapter Six, pp 96 – 106: 

This is an important section of the novel as it provides Miro with an opportunity to justify his actions as he responds to Kate’s question: Why are you doing this?
i) To what extent do we gain an understanding of Miro’s position?
ii) To what extent are you convinced by his life story and his justification for terrorism?
iii) Discuss how Kate responds to his attitudes.
iv) In the introduction to this Study Guide, I quoted the critic who said: The terrorists do not wear baddies’ black hats, nor the government white. However, it is generally accepted that all texts are framed by the social, cultural and political viewpoints of both the author and the reader, and that consequently no text can take a completely neutral stance on issues such as the ones canvassed in this novel. 
Carefully re-read this section and try to determine what stance Cormier takes on the issue of terrorism and the extent to which he attempts to persuade his readers to take a similar stance. 
 
 

Chapter Eight:
` a) The first part of the chapter concerns Kate’s attempt to escape by reversing the bus off the bridge. 
i)What does this escape attempt reveal about Kate’s character and her level of personal courage?
ii) Carefully detail Artkin’s response to Miro for being careless enough to allow Kate to make the attempt?
iii) To what extent is his anger justified?
iv) What effect does Artkin’s attack upon him have on Miro’s psychological state?
v) Explain how Kate attempts to win back Miro’s trust.
vi) To what extent does she appear to be successful?

b) The second part of the chapter involves increased tension as the stakes become higher. Sedeete has been captured, Antibbe is shot by a sniper and Artkin begins to carry out his threat to kill the children by murdering Raymond.
i) What effect do these incidents have on Kate?
ii) To what extent is it suggested that the government forces, led by General Marchand, have deliberately increased the pressure on the terrorists? Provide evidence from the text in support of your views.
iii) If the shooting of Antibbe was a deliberate act, to what extent do you think the act was justified? Provide detailed reasons for your view.

Chapter Ten:

This chapter contains two quite distinct parts: the torture of Ben and his apparent betrayal of the trust placed in him by his father; and Miro’s response to the attack.
i) Why do you think the torture of Ben is told from Miro’s point of view?
ii) To what extent do you think it would have been more effective to have presented the incident from Ben’s perspective?
iii) Why do you think Miro takes Kate with him when he escapes into the woods?
iv) Carefully detail how Kate attempts to talk Miro into surrendering. 
v) How does Miro respond to her logic?
vi) What does this response suggest about the extent to which he has been dehumanised?
vii) Why do you think Miro responds to the suggestion that Artkin is his father as he does?
viii) Why does he shoot Kate?

Chapter Twelve:

i) How do you respond to the final chapter? 
ii) To what extent do you think it reflects what appears to be Cormier’s pessimism? 
iii) Carefully explain the extent to which you have any sympathy left for Miro? 
AFTER THE FIRST DEATH
ASSESSMENT TOPICS

Carefully read the following attitudes and viewpoints, all of which are relevant to your thinking about the novel. Use these ideas, plus any other relevant material from After The First Death, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold , and Cal , to develop your response to the discussion topic which follows the quotations.
 

The ethic of our work is based upon a single assumption. That is, we are never going to be the aggressors. . . Thus we do disagreeable things, but we are defensive. . . We do disagreeable things so that ordinary people . . . can sleep safely in their beds at night. ( John Le Carre, The Spy Who Came in From the Cold.)

Yet I knew that if we defeated the terrorists on the bridge that morning, we would be setting a precedent for the world to see, sending a message to terrorists all over the world that our nation would not buckle under to intimidation. (General Marchand)

I myself would have put a bomb in a restaurant if it brought us further along the road. Afterwards I would draw the balance- so many women, so many children; and so far along the road. But Christians- and yours is a Christian society- Christians may not draw the balance . . . they believe in the sanctity of human life.
( Fiedler)

The greatest good for the greatest number. (Jeremy Bentham)

But now she recognised him for what he was: a monster. And the greatest horror of all was that he did not know he was a monster. He had looked at her with innocent eyes as he told her of killing people. She had always thought of innocence as something good, something to cherish. People mourned the death of innocence. . . But innocence, she saw now, could also be evil. Monstrous.
(Kate’s response to Miro’s attitudes. Chapter Six.)
 
 
 

Miro sat in anguish, empty of words now. Anguish because he could not understand this girl. . . Her life was one way of living, his another. He felt anger . . . She could not see the world as it existed. She looked at the world through her ignorant American eyes as she drifted through her schoolgirl years. His life had purpose and direction. Dedication. ( Miro, responding to Kate’s views. Chapter Six.) 
 
 

Topic: 

It is a fact of life that individuals sometimes need to be sacrificed for the greater good of the community.
 

Essay Topics.

Write an essay in response to ONE of the following topics.
Topic One.

Im no good at this kind of stuff, she thought. Im not heroic, nor brave.

Of the three main characters of After The First Death, Kate, Ben and Miro, Kate is the only one to show true courage.

To what extent do you agree with this view?

Topic Two.

It can be argued that Kate is the main character of After The First Death. Explain Kates role in the novel, showing the extent to which you think she is the most important character. You will also need to discuss Ben and Miro in relation to Kate.

Submitted by:  © Christopher Ingham   I am an Australian teacher of English, Literature and Drama. I teach at a small private school in Hamilton, which is in the Western District of Victoria. The school has 360 students from Prep to Year 12. Hamilton is a town of 10,000 situated in what used to be a prosperous wool growing district; however, wool prices have been low for 10 years now and this has affected enrolments at the school.  I am 54 and have been teaching for 32 years. I am married and have three stepdaughters: Jane, 26, is currently completing her Phd in the genetics of wool; Pene, 24, is the manager of a soup and sandwich shop in Melbourne; and Natalie. 20, is completing an Arts/Science degree at the University of Melbourne. I live on a farm of 520 acres with my wife, 2,000 sheep, 3 dogs, 2 cats, and 8 chickens and a rooster. Needless to say, my wife is the farmer! Other than teaching, my passions are reading, writing, the theatre, rugby union, Australian Rules football and soccer – Manchester United is the greatest * For more articles by this Consultant Click Here *For more articles on English Literature Gr 12 Click Here