his life, and it is certainly one that Ben struggles with. Similarly, Brink would not have included Ben slapping Cloete when he was forced to resign. Brink wants his audience to see Ben as the ordinary man- as one of them. Palcy, however (most likely because of Hollywood drama) portrayed Ben as the hero. He fought back much more forcefully in the movie than in the book. The same holds true for Stanley. When Stanley shoots Stolz at the end of the film, it is too easy. It is most likely another way to please Hollywood and an audience that wants to see the movie end with a sense of finality. But that is the exact opposite of what Brink was trying to do! Brink ended the novel leaving the reader with many questions. The reader does not get a sense of finality, because in reality, there was none. He doesnt get a sense of finality because it is up to the reader to continue the struggle. In an interview, Palcy said of Stolzs murder, Its a message of warning that this decent man can be pushed to violence (Simon 58). But, as John Simon puts it, By making it look so easy, the director cheapens the small, hard-won advances some few have actually been able to gain (Simon 59).Palcy does a similar thing in the end with Jonathan. In the novel, Ben sees himself in Johan. It is essential- in the beginning, he says, I feel I cannot really come to grips with all my former selves until I relive it through a son (Brink 29). He says that he needs a son to understand everything that he did in his life, and why he did it. Throughout the novel, Brink makes it clear to his reader that Johan is following in his footsteps. He is glad to have his sons support, but is slightly embarrassed by his sons enthusiasm. This is very important when it comes to reading Bens character. Because Bens life has been completely taken over by his own enthusiasm for fighting society, he is worried about Johan. And more importantly, he can see through Johan (and al...
