The Fifth Child
The word "monster" has many definitions. Some define it as a creature having a
frightening or strange appearance. It is also defined as one that inspires horror or
disgust. Ben certainly fits into all of these categories. He was different right from
pregnancy. He looks extremely frightening, almost like a Neanderthal. Ben is an outcast
even in an institution for "nature's mistakes."
From the moment Harriet became pregnant it was apparent to her that something was
obviously wrong. She loved having children and had planned on a total of eight or
perhaps even ten. However, something was different this time. Early in the pregnancy,
she began feeling ill. She had been keeping herself very busy in order not to feel the
"demands" from the new being. It was unlike anything she had known before. At five
months the pain was so intense that Harriet began taking tranquilizers. Even during her
pregnancy, Harriet began referring to Ben as the "monster." During a conversation with
Dr. Brett after he refused to induce the baby, she is quoted as saying, "It's because you
don't want to. It's not you who is carrying this-" (She cut off monster afraid of
antagonizing him.) (p. 47) At eight months she went into labor. Although she had never
gone to the hospital before for her other deliveries, this time she insisted. This
shocked everyone, especially her husband David.
Ben was not your typical baby. "A real little wrestler," said Dr. Brett. "He came out
fighting the whole world." (p. 48) Ben was eleven pounds at birth. None of the other
children were more than seven. He was heavy-shouldered and hunched over. His forehead
sloped from his eyebrows to his crown. Even his hair pattern was erratic. His hands
were thick and heavy and contained pads of muscle. His piercing eyes were greeny-yellow
in nature and focused on Harriet from the moment he was born. "He's like a troll, or a
goblin or something." said Harriet. (p. 49) Ben actually resembled a Neanderthal!
Although Harriet was apprehensive, David, as well as the entire family, decided it was
best if they put Ben into an institution. A small black van came one morning to take Ben
away. This institution was not a place that prepared children to become part of society.
It was a horrific place that kept all their patients completely drugged and starved them
until they eventually died. There were all types of "mistakes" here. Numerous cots
engrossed the hallways containing children whose appearances were hideous at best. One
child lacked the back of his skull, exposing his brain. Another was literally split in
two. Amongst these terrible tragedies, Ben still managed to stick out. He was so
incredibly strong that he warranted his own room, more sedatives than any other child had
ever received, and had to remain in a strait jacket 24 hours a day. "He's so strong-I've
never seen anything like it." Said the girl at the institution. (p. 83)
As you can see, Ben is no ordinary child. From the moment he was conceived, Harriet just
knew something was wrong. His physical appearance as well as his actions easily place
him in the category of monster.
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