Abstract

In So Long, Hector Bebb, whydoes Prince Jenkin Saddler regard his war experience as ‘bloody alright’although he suffered severe injuries? Why have the years since been ‘dead’until he meets Hector Bebb? Why did he not keep his promise to marry Jane Evassduring or immediately after the war; were his war wounds a reason or an excuse?Why is he fascinated by Hector Bebb from the outset? Why does he riskincarceration to protect Hector Bebb, wanted for manslaughter, possibly murder,even though he says space and freedom are premium necessities for him? Why doeshe sideline Jane Evass and then agree later to marry her? Why does she dislikeHector Bebb so much? Why is he utterly inconsolable when Hector Bebb dies? Thenovel’s fragmented form and elusive discourse raise all of these questions andmore concerning Prince’s relationship with Hector Bebb. To what effect, though?This essay is an attempt, but only an attempt, to venture an answer. 

Keywords: warrior, gladiator, war wounds, Sedgwick, continuum, Spartan, homosocial, D.H. Lawrence, desire, loyalty, duty., gladiator, war wounds, Sedgwick, continuum, Spartan, homosocial, D.H. Lawrence, desire, loyalty, duty

How to Cite:

Jenkins, J. P., (2023) “Prince Jenkin Saddler, Hector Bebb and ‘another kind of love’ in Ron Berry’s So Long, Hector Bebb (1970)”, International Journal of Welsh Writing in English 10(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.16995/wwe.8590