The Struggle In Michael P. Spradlin's Into The Killing Seas
In the book Into the Killing Seas by Michael P. Spradlin, two boys and a man survive in the middle of the ocean, stranded. They have to face starvation, dehydration, crazed crew mates, and sharks. In the worst naval accident ever, the sinking of the USS Indianapolis. His name was Benjamin Franklin Poindexter Private First Class, United States Marine Corps otherwise known as Benny. He was kindhearted and encouraging, he was always encouraging and helping people. Spradlin states, “Benny was lifting debris off an injured sailor, when a steam pipe exploded. The fitting blew off right next to his face. He was burned up pretty good. Still, he kept trying to help… But he just kept going, pulling burning rubble off of those injured men” (Spradlin
180). Benny help anyone and everyone he could, no matter the person. According to the text “He liked to come by the orphanage while he was healing up from his injuries. Sometimes he brought us comic books he did not have time to read, or a baseball to toss around” (8). Benny developed a relationship with the boys. He would tell them naughty jokes or traded cards. The author says “Put your back into it. You got a marine pinned down. He’s taken enemy fire. And he’s waitin’ on you to come to his aid. Stenkevitz might be a sorry excuse for a human bein’, but when the chips are down all that matters is that globe and anchor on his collar. You gotta help him” (158) Benny didn’t care who it was that was in trouble even if he didn’t like them and they did not like him. They were all Marines, and Marines never left another one behind. Benny stated “Almost there, buddy! You gotta do it. You done good, and now you gotta finish the job. Pull! Come on now! Pull!”(41). Benny was almost always encouraging and positive. He could make most laugh or smile. He by no means criticized anyone. Into the Killing Seas character Benny said “Sure you can, sport. I promise you someone is out there right now in a rafts or one of them floatation nets. Once we give a shout, they’ll come right to us. I promise you champ” (51). If I were Patrick or teddy it would be really hard not to believe him after everything he did for me. According to the text “You listen to me, you will not drown in the ocean. Benjamin Franklin Poindexter Private First Class, United States Marine Corps will not allow it. Is that clear to you marine? You will promise me right now at this very moment that you are not gonna drown. You are gonna survive. Is that clear? Sound off” (63). Into the Killing Seas was about the courage and strength the survivors had to have in order to survive. Even though Benny had to face dehydration, starvation, crazed crew mates and sharks he still kept his encouraging and kindhearted attitude. He never quit and never stopped helping others.
180). Benny help anyone and everyone he could, no matter the person. According to the text “He liked to come by the orphanage while he was healing up from his injuries. Sometimes he brought us comic books he did not have time to read, or a baseball to toss around” (8). Benny developed a relationship with the boys. He would tell them naughty jokes or traded cards. The author says “Put your back into it. You got a marine pinned down. He’s taken enemy fire. And he’s waitin’ on you to come to his aid. Stenkevitz might be a sorry excuse for a human bein’, but when the chips are down all that matters is that globe and anchor on his collar. You gotta help him” (158) Benny didn’t care who it was that was in trouble even if he didn’t like them and they did not like him. They were all Marines, and Marines never left another one behind. Benny stated “Almost there, buddy! You gotta do it. You done good, and now you gotta finish the job. Pull! Come on now! Pull!”(41). Benny was almost always encouraging and positive. He could make most laugh or smile. He by no means criticized anyone. Into the Killing Seas character Benny said “Sure you can, sport. I promise you someone is out there right now in a rafts or one of them floatation nets. Once we give a shout, they’ll come right to us. I promise you champ” (51). If I were Patrick or teddy it would be really hard not to believe him after everything he did for me. According to the text “You listen to me, you will not drown in the ocean. Benjamin Franklin Poindexter Private First Class, United States Marine Corps will not allow it. Is that clear to you marine? You will promise me right now at this very moment that you are not gonna drown. You are gonna survive. Is that clear? Sound off” (63). Into the Killing Seas was about the courage and strength the survivors had to have in order to survive. Even though Benny had to face dehydration, starvation, crazed crew mates and sharks he still kept his encouraging and kindhearted attitude. He never quit and never stopped helping others.