Ben's Secret Witness

Traces Ben's role as a silent witness to Rebecca's activities and his fear of being sent to the asylum, culminating in his denial of seeing Favell.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

First Encounter with Ben

The Idiot on the Beach The Digging Man While looking for Jasper, the narrator found a man digging for shells on the beach. He had slit eyes and a toothless grin. He was Ben. The Cottage She went into the cottage to find string. Ben watched her. He said, "She don't go in there now." The narrator realized he meant Rebecca. The Fear Ben was afraid. He asked if she would put him in the asylum. She reassured him. He gave her a shell as a gift.

Ben's Confession

The Secret The Second Encounter The narrator found Ben hiding in the cottage. He had taken a fishing line. She told him not to steal. The Revelation Ben said, "You're not like the other one. She gave you the feeling of a snake." He described Rebecca as tall and dark, and said she had threatened to put him in the asylum if he told anyone he had seen her. The Implication The narrator realized Ben had witnessed something. He knew about Rebecca's secret meetings. He was a potential witness.

Ben at the Confrontation

The Denial Favell's Claim Favell claimed Ben had seen Maxim on the night of the murder. He demanded Ben be brought to testify. The Questioning Ben was brought to the library. He was terrified. When asked if he knew Favell, he shook his head. He denied ever seeing him. The Fear of the Asylum Ben's fear of being sent to the asylum made him lie. He would say anything to protect himself. His testimony was useless to Favell.

Ben's Release

The Return Home The Kindness Maxim told Robert to give Ben some food and take him home. Ben was grateful. He had escaped the asylum. The Silence Ben would never speak of what he had seen. His fear ensured his silence. He was a harmless creature, caught in the middle of a tragedy. The Aftermath Ben returned to his simple life. The narrator thought of him sometimes. He was a reminder of the innocent victims of Rebecca's cruelty.

Afternoon walk, first week at Manderley

Afternoon, day after the ball

Evening after the inquest

Later that evening