While Sharpe might have continued on in his pattern of first person pov of Johnny Rolfe and Pocahontas in alternating chapters, he has wisely introduced some new characters viewpoints. These characters have already been mentioned in the previous chapters so that while a nice setting and tone has been established, these new bursts of voice and information does not disturb the narrative.
Opening Section of the novel, we have John Ratcliffe, a member of the exploration party who up until now we’ve only seen through the eyes of Johnny Rolfe. Here, in a letter to his superior, we see a bit more of what precipitated their departure and what he himself is up against, thus giving us a slant on his character.
Ratcliffe mentions his mother, back in NY, and this flows easily into the next chapter which is from Penny Ratcliffe’s notes. Here again, we see contrasting perspectives, as well as confirmation of other characters previously mentioned.
The next one to speak up is Father Richard Buck, traveling with the men on the bus. His directive (interesting point as to who these ‘stories’ are directed to; Rolfe and Pocahontas both communicating with an uncertain future, Ratcliffe directly to his boss, and Father Buck to God Himself) is a riot of camouflaged doubt. There is the battle between good and evil compromised by a reality that has drastically changed for him (and everyone else) by some event–possibly even an act of God. How do you hide resentment for that?
Lord, I come to you with all my doubts; if I did not you’d know them anyway. In spite of all, please grant this one modest request: welcome to heaven the soul of Matthew Bernard, in whose lower intestine an arrow has made a hole. Lord, by the way, if you don’t mind my saying, what were you thinking with regard to the flimsy construction of the human form? Oh, sorry, Lord, let me try to put that more respectfully. For what mysterious purpose hast thou made men such weak vessels of thyself? Really, why’d you make his middle so soft and arrow-pervious? (Father Richard Buck, p. 83)
With what these people are up against, it’s rather amazing anyone has any religious faith left at all. But then, isn’t this all relative? Contemporary life offers us the same choices of hope versus total loss of faith. It still comes down to what makes it easier for an individual to face, at every point in his life, his eventual death.
There is an edge to Buck’s words, a sarcasm that tells us where he stands emotionally despite his bluntness of words that waffle between the peace of faith and the knowledge of his existence.
The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology