FIFTH CHILD

39. Describe Ben’s appearance at birth. Muscular, yellow, 11 pounds, heavy shouldered hunch look, yellow and green eyes. Hair

40. Why did Harriet not get out of her hospital bed? She needed time for her internal bruises to heal

How long did Harriet stay in bed? 1 week 

42. What does the quote, “the genes have come up with something special this time” mean? Ben is unlike any of their other children. 

43. How does Harriet respond to her fifth child? She pays very close attention to him and almost forgets all her other children. She barely sleeps and is very tired from all the energy she puts into taking care of him. 

44. What does Dr. Brett think of Ben? He thinks hes a normal child and theres nothing unusual about him. 

45. What are Ben’s interactions with the family like and how does the family respond to him at the first party? Ben shows no interest in the family and doesn’t interact with them. They are curious about him at first but soon become scared of him. 

46. How does Ben interact with the other children? He doesn’t play with them because he is separated from them but sometimes he sits with them and watches their behavior. He mimics what they do such as laugh at the TV but she isn’t actually watching the TV. He tries to act like the older children. 

47. What is the relationship between Ben and Paul like? 

Their relationship is strained and Paul feels threatened by Ben’s string presence. This causes Paul to develop emotional issues but they were overlooked by Ben’s more “noticeable” issues. 

48. Describe Ben’s inappropriate behavior in the house.

In the house he slowly gets stronger and meaner. He bits hard enough to draw blood, is aggressive, hurts his siblings with his strength, destroys furniture, stares at others and leaves family feeling disturbed.

49. Describe the room in which Ben is kept for the holidays?

A small room with a single bed, table and worn out armchair.

50. What happens to the dog and cat? What consequence does this have for Amy? Ben strangled the dog while it was sleeping and did the same to the cat. The family fears bringing Ben near Amy or leaving them alone together because Ben might hurt her in someway since she is vulnerable due to her disability. 

51. What are Ben’s first words? His first words are “I want cake”.

52. How does Ben feel after he inflicts harm? He usually laughs or smiles mischiveously, he finds enjoyment in it. 

53. Why do the Lovatts decide to take a family vacation to France? They want to get away from Ben and go back to their normal lives before he was born. 

54. What solution does the family come up with to address Ben’s behavior? They decide to send him to an institution. 

55. Why does Harriet initially agree? She wants everything to go back to normal and acknowledged that she had neglected her other children. 

56. How and why does Harriet interfere with the families’ plan for Ben? She wakes up one morning and decides to go get Ben back from the institution. She feels guilty for sending him away and still wants to try and live with him. 

57. Describe the departure to and conditions of the institution. It was raining very badly on the way and it was a 4 hour drive with lots of traffic. The institution is very quiet and seems almost empty. 

58. Describe the workers at the institution. They are very tired and worn out. 

59. When Harriet finally sees Ben at the institution, what does he look like? He is passed out on the floor without clothes, his tongue out and he had peed himself. 

60. What effects does Harriet’s interference have on each member of the family?

Causes detachments or isolations with her husband and extended family and her other children.

61. What is Harriet’s relationship like with each family member, including Ben. 

Harriet's relationship is strained, especially with Ben. She feels as if she has a lot of responsibilities and it causes her to "neglect" her other kids. This causes her to distance with her other children and family.

62. What is Ben’s relationship like with each family member?

Ben Lacks sympathy for his family, even Harriet who tries making him feel loved. David, his father also is unable to connect with Ben and his siblings avoid him so Ben usually feels isolated from his family.

63. Which parent in the lead parent in charge of Ben and why?

Harriet is the lead or primary parent for Ben since she takes most of the responsibilities for making sure he is alright or caring for him.

64. Who is John and what is his relationship with Ben like? How does that

relationship end and why? (around 100)

John is a sweet, kind neighborhood boy and he kind of becomes Ben's caretaker since he looks after him when he is not at school. John and Ben's relationship was one of tolerance since John usually treated Ben rough but at the same time allowed him to feel included and belonging in his group of friends However their relationship ends when John leaves to go partake in job training opportunities in Manchester.