Hair Rising, Heir Raising, Erasing
Harry Bates
Private Harry Bates is the quintessence of absent characters. Talked about, missed, grieved, his lack of presence, nonetheless affects the other characters in many ways. Like a missing link the life of Harry Bates can explain and shed light about the lives of others and their behaviours. Let’s take the example of the always well informed Amelia Bates to illustrate the point. She has developed that trait of her character because of the military career of her husband. Harry is the determining factor behind a self taught Amelia who reads the newspaper to know if he is still alive, which part of the world he is located, which battles he faced, their results and consequences on the world and people, and trying desperately to guess when would he possibly be able to come back.
Harry Bates never returns to Amelia. He is killed in battle. His untimely departure to another world creates confusion to who is left behind. The night of his funeral, the grieving characters of the story are left to deal with the chaos of his definite, this time, eternal absence.
Private Bates symbolises order and a better world. He elevates the humble Amelia Elroy to take her to the better part of the town. Her place there is respectable yet far from ostentatious. She is the well liked poor neighbour. The soldier makes his couple just survive on his wages. The honour of his profession provides his wife with an aura of respect within the community of Wilton Town.
His death symbolises disorder and chaos: The one who was fighting bravely for a better world is no more to bring it about. All who mourns him, drink themselves senseless bringing chaos to their own world, right at their own doorsteps, at a loss. They make the little big mistake in the making which changes their futures for the better or the worst.
Private Bates first name choice is an homage to Prince Harry’s military career. It is also a reference to Harry Potter, for her Harry has become the fantasy character of Amelia, invisible yet ever so present.
To the inspiring Harry, cheers…