Student Question
What are the key points and results of the final battle in Chapter 16, where hero David defeats the enemy?
Quick answer:
In Chapter 16, David and his group of telepaths are pursued by the Waknuk and Fringes people. The Sealand woman rushes to rescue them as a battle ensues between the Waknuk and Fringes. Spider-man kills David's father but is quickly killed himself. Sophie is also killed while fleeing. The battle ends when a Sealand airship descends, releasing a sticky, web-like substance that immobilizes the fighters. The chapter concludes with David unable to open his eyes.
I'm not so sure about that initial prompt. David doesn't defeat anybody. He and a few other Deviant telepaths are on the run and hiding. They are being hunted by the Waknuk people and the Fringes. That would make three groups, but I think the question is referring to the Sealand woman and her people as the final group. The final battle comes in small stages. The Sealand woman is rushing to reach David and his group, while the Waknuk and Fringes are closing in on each other. A battle between the Waknuk and Fringes begins, but not a lot of battle tactics are described. The main result of the clash is that Spider-man shoots David's father with an arrow during the battle.
"Suddenly he [Spider-man] stiffened. His bow came up like a flash, bent to its full. He loosed. The shaft took my father in the left of...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
his chest. He jerked, and fell back on Sheba's hindquarters. Then he slithered off sideways and dropped to the ground, his right foot still caught in the stirrup."
Unfortunately his victory is short lived, because he is killed moments later.
"His spindly legs had not made more than three prodigious strides when a couple of arrows took him simultaneously in the back and side, and he fell."
Then Sophie dies about 10 seconds later as she tries to escape from the battle.
"Sophie struggled to her feet and ran on by herself. An arrow pierced right through her upper arm, but she held on, with it lodged there. Then another took her in the back of the neck. She dropped in mid-stride, and her body slid along in the dust...."
The battle continues for a bit longer until a floating airship of sorts started to descend out of the sky in a mist. That sight caused many of the fighters to turn and run away. In addition to the ship, a thread-like substance (like spider silk) began to descend on everybody. It froze people in place when it came in contact with them. The Sealand woman told the telepaths to relax and sit down if able, so they don't get hurt when the silk makes contact. David closes his eyes, can't reopen them, and the chapter ends.
"As I looked down again I saw a few glistening threads, like cobwebs, drifting past the mouth of the cave. Then more and more of them, giving sudden gleams as they twisted in the air and caught the light. . .
He turned towards us and started. Then he paused and picked at something on his arm. His hand stayed there. 'Queer,' he told us. 'Like a cobweb, but sticky. I can't get my hand . . .' His thought suddenly became panicky. ' It's stuck. I can't move it!' The Sealand woman came in, coolly advising: 'Don't struggle. You'll exhaust yourself. Lie down if you can. Keep calm. Don't move. Just wait. Keep still, on the ground, so that it can't get round you.' . . .
When I tried to open my eyes again I found I could not."
If David is your hero character, and you are trying to fit him into the standard hero's cycle motif, I just don't see it. David doesn't do anything boldly heroic to overcome any kind of antagonist in chapter 16.