McDowell had time to run. Why didn't he?

Use this forum to discuss the October Book of the Month "McDowell" by William H. Coles.
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Hamza Rana
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Re: McDowell had time to run. Why didn't he?

Post by Hamza Rana »

I don't think that McDowell knew the full risks of staying where he was. His completion of his memoir might have been one of the reasons he was reluctant to run but I think it was his love for winona and concern for Kitsy's well being that made him hang around.He also might have been tired of running.
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Post by Radiant3 »

I think he was tired of running. He may also have felt a sense of responsibility towards Kitsy and he cared for Winona.
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Post by HollandBlue »

McDowell probably tired of running, but I also don't think he realized the full risk he was taking by staying.
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Post by A G Darr »

I don't know if he had time to run. I think he was doing what he normally did at all the other locations he left; he was collecting his belongings and tying up loose ends before moving on. He would have needed to return to gather his memoir. He also had a habit of letting people know he left before he took off. I think it was to make sure he did not seem suspicious. There was no way he could have know Kitsy would have seen a picture of him in the hospital, it was just bad luck. Hiram was just following his normal patterns of his new nomadic life.
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Post by ShailaSheshadri »

True. Hiram had enough time to run away from his place. But, he didn't run too far. He wanted to live in disguise. Even while he ran from one place to another, he chose only such places where he could hide fast. He disguised himself by wearing a mustache, cap, and soiled clothes. He started earning money in public places through his musical talent. I think he believed police won't recognize him due to his new appearance. The other thing that must have restricted Hiram's running could be his love for his children. He wanted to contact his children often when he was in disguise. He was worried about the phone connectivity too. Hence, he didn't flee to a remote place.
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Post by edith38 »

First I think the author went to the only logical ending of the story.
Second, it was somewhat implied that McDowell was in love so perhaps he chooses to risk it. alternatively, it might semi-make sense if the old lady recovered and ratted him out so the police was waiting for him when he went back for his notes (the only thing he probably would have cared enough to go back for) Though to be honest, I thought it a bit of a week point of the story as well.
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Post by somersas13 »

I think this is a juxtaposition of the prologue. In the prologue, he leaves Woolf on the mountain because he's low on oxygen and he would've been putting his life at risk by staying to help his friend. At this point in his life, his own survival and his own self always comes first, which is why he always survives these hikes and is successful in his career, has wealth, etc, but his relationships suffer. In the second half of the book he changes and begins to value the people in his life, above himself. He learns to give without thinking about himself. He is fulfilled in a way that he couldn't attain when he was wealthy, but ultimately sacrifices himself to do so.
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Post by Fatima_Palacios »

I think he just didn't knew the extend and dangers of staying where he was, he truly believe that he had covered his tracks and maybe in a way he just didn't want to run anymore and convinced himself that he was safe.
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Post by Loveli »

I agree he might have been tired of running. I don't think he wanted to live on the run forever. Perhaps he did not expect to be killed, but he knew he could not hide forever.
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Post by Okafor Prosper »

I'm guessing it's because he was tired of a life of running and he really liked where he was at that point.
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Post by Cristina Chifane »

I think it just didn't occur to him (as it didn't occur to me) that Kitsy would report him to the authorities considering he had saved her life.
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Post by jibby9 »

I think his character had an epiphany, realized or not, that he liked to be needed and of use. I felt like McDowell enjoyed the simplicity of his new friendships with the strangers he met along the way and came to deeply appreciate the bond of trust. I believe he miscalculated how safe he would be but also the level of faith Kitsy had in him.
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Post by Manang Muyang »

If I recall correctly, Kitsy was unconscious until much later when she was already out of danger. She didn't know McDowell saved her. So she had no qualms in reporting him.

I think saving Kitsy is a counterpoint to Jeremy's death. Hiram's saving her is his symbolic atonement for killing his grandson. Now, Hiram is truly free. The sheriff's lust for blood further emphasizes Hiram's cleansing and redemption. Well, at least that's my romantic view of the tragic ending.
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Post by cecaji06 »

I think McDowell had decided to surrender. He had no strength left,and so he felt he had already used his last breathe. phew!
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Post by ochiengjr01 »

Maybe just because of his arrogance and ignorance he saw escaping couldn't rhyme with his title as fur as he had reached.
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