Q4 - The Climax

I think that the climax of this story is when Bill takes his group of people that lived with him for six years and escapes their home to abandon Torrence.

Torrence had discovered Bill, Josella, their baby, Susan, Dennis, Mary, the Brent's baby, and Joyce in their home at Shirning. Now an officer in a clan that rolled by military rules, Torrence was about to force Bill and the others to be separated and to work (actually labor) for the survival of many other blind people. With harsh conditions to overcome and too many obstacles in the way, it was simply not possible to take care of so many helpless people in an environment that could hardly serve as a habitat any longer. Bill didn't like this Communist-style of politics, so he and his group make a get away during the night. The group head for the Isle of Wight, where Beadley's group are building a community without triffids.

The point where Bill fills up Torrence's vehicle tank with honey and makes his escape was a very important part of the story. It surely was the point of no return, where Bill and the other members would not be able to return to their home that sheltered them for six years, and now Torrence's lot was no more or less than mere enemies to Bill's lot. They had left everything behind and started forward for a new life in a new place where the return of humanity to the top of the food chain was being planned.

I was very pleased with this series of events. I disliked Torrence very much for his limited consideration for moral or ethical life. I personally think that he deserved to be it on the back of the head like that. I also was very satisfied and astounded by Bill's choice in this course of action. Sure, it was the right choice to not follow under Torrence's politics, but Bill's wit and cleverness in escaping the unpleasant situation by trapping Torrence and his men was unexpected. I found this scene quite a bit unhappy, too. When thought over carefully, the home that Bill had just abandoned was where he and Josella lived with Susan and the others for many years. It was also the birth place of the two babies in the group. It would be saddening to leave a home, no matter how many hardships you faced there, just because of some rude men who tried to ruin your life.

This climax was a good one, especially the fact that Bill made a choice based on what he thought was right. It was an event that showed the values of a person and the choice that we make due to those values.