The Go-Between: Is Ted a coward?

In Hartleys The Go-Between, lower-class Ted, a major character takes his life following a passionate affair with upper class Marian, at Brandham pressure group in the year 1900.Teds suicide could be judged as a cowardly act. However, Hartley has given the contri hardlyor evidence to prove that Ted is a very strong and heroic character in this novel.Hartley explores the difficult course of instruction of the do between Marian and Ted against the strict social background of 1900 England.In the garden of Eden setting of Brandham Hall, Hartley tells the storey done the eye of an innocent 12-year-old boy, Leo, who disc overs the importance of class distinctions in the hot summer of 1900. In the resulting outrage of innocence, Leo discovers the true nature of the relationship between central characters Ted and Marian, and the lives of all the people at Brandham Hall are changed forever.The subscriber is setoff introduced to Ted at the swimming hole. This is important to the decis ion of Teds cowardliness as we are given a very strong physical description of him. The following description persuades the reader that Ted epitomizes strength. He is not weak and t herefore not a coward. it was Ted Burgess clinging to the post, hauling himself out. Hismuscles bunched, his face tense with effort. He did not see me, andI retreated almost in tear before that powerful body. (Pg 63)Hartley successfully uses attributeism to convey the idea that Ted is a strong man. At the beginning of the novel, young Leo is marveling over the zodiac signs which decorate his diary. He is unsure of which sign he would like to be the water carrier or the archer. Throughout the novel, Leo makes connections with Ted and the water carrier. He describes the water carrier as strong and sturdy.Striding across the farmyard came the farmer, a pail of water ineach hand. I remembered him it was Ted Burgess of the swimmingpool. (Pg 85)Ted is also set forth by Hartley as a grim reaper. The grim rea per is a man that personifies death as an old man or skeleton carrying a scythe. This again gives the reader a virile notion of Ted and not a gutless one.It wasnt difficult to find him, for he was usually working in the harvest home fields on the far side of the river from the sluiceplatform I could see where he was. The first time I went he wasriding the reaper, a new fangled machine which cut the corn butdid not bind it.Hartley used a grease- numbfish as another symbol. This symbol was crucial to the deeper sagacity of main character, Ted. Ted actually describes himself as a pretty good shot. Guns are a symbol of strength, a symbol of power. They are designed purely to injure or kill.There are a few references during the novel about Ted and his gun, as well as these weapons in general.He was standing with his gun watching for the rabbits andother creatures, which clung to their shelter till the last momentbefore bolting out. (Pg 109)He was sitting on a chair behind the table wi th a gun betweenhis knees so absorbed that he didnt hear me. The muzzle wasjust below his mouth, the barrel was pressed against his nakedchest, and he was peering down it. (Pg 186)These descriptions of Ted and his gun are very important to the reader because it gives us the discovering that Ted is comfortable around this weapons and he has entrance fee to one. The reader is less surprised when we learn that Ted has shot himself.Throughout the novel, Leo visits Ted at Black rise to deliver messages from Marian. Ted is defined by his environment thats his house and his job. Ted is a working-class man who works as a tenant on the land. Ted is tanned from spending long days working outside. He is go away neer earn enough money to advance up the social class ladder because he is bound to give profits from his farm to the owner, Lord Trimingham.The description of Teds house and some dialogue helps the reader to assume that Ted is physi cancely and mentally resilient. This man is no c oward.We entered the house, which struck me as a mean abode,through a door that led straight into the kitchen.This is where I mostly live, he said defensively, Im notwhat you call a gentleman farmer. Im a working one.(Pg 87)Ted is physically strong but also mentally high-risk too. From the beginning, the reader learns that Ted knows exactly where he fits in the social class structure of 1900 England. This is shown when Leo trespasses visits Teds farm. What the devil- he began, and his red-brown eyessparkled with angry lights. What the hell do you thinkyoure doing here? Ive a good mind to give you thebiggest beat youve ever had in your life.As soon as Ted realises that Leo is staying at the tone completely changes and he apologises to Leo. You mustnt mind if I spoke to you a bit hasty. Thatsthe way I am, and these old boys round here they driveme half demented.I did not despise him for changing his tune when he knewwhere I came from it seemed to me right, inwrought andproper that he should.The acceptance of Teds position in society is very important to the development of his character. We understand that Ted is not resentful of where he stands but compliant. This is crucial to the understanding Teds suicide. He realises that Marian will never marry him. He would rather die than watch Lord Trimingham live a life with Marian. This is not cowardice, but acceptance.Teds suicide could be described as cowardly. However, Hartley has given the reader enough evidence to conjure up otherwise. Ted is compared to strong characters such as the water carrier and the grim reaper. He is initially described as being very physically strong and attractive at the water hole. Ted has a knowledge and love of guns, they make him feel virile. Ted is very intelligent. He realises where he stands in society and is accepting of this. He understands that Marian will never marry him because society will not accept it. Ultimately, Ted killed himself out of love for Marian. He didnt want to live a life that would not include Marian. Ted is not a coward but apparently head-over-heels in love.