In this last section of the book, it became harder for me to decipher Ned's purpose for his cryptic actions. Obviously he has two underlying main goals: to free his mother and to survive to see his family in San Francisco. However, it seems as though Ned, who usually is rather bright and ingenious in thinking of original plans to get his desires accomplished, goes about things this time in a roundabout and illogical manner. He becomes inspired by The Moniter, a seemingly invicible ship, and decides to build crude suits of armor for himself and his gang and take on the police force. Ned previously has seemed to me to above all else, intelligent. I don't understand how this half-baked idea appeals to him; does he really think 4 men wearing plates of scrap metal can take on an entire police force and win? Furthermore, he never explains what will happen if they win? Does he expect all of Australia to suddenly proclaim his a national hero? This strategy in no way is helpful towards getting his mother released from prison or to ensuring his survival so he can see his daughter and wife.
In my opinion, it's important to analyze the thoughts and motivations behind Ned's sudden switch from cautious to bold. Throughout the book, Ned has constantly been misunderstood. He has been jailed countless times for crimes he didn't even mean to commit and accused of being a million things that he is not. When he tries to publish a letter stating the true intentions of his actions, that too is bungled. I think Ned is tired of living behind a screen of secrecy and lies. In short, Ned is tired of hiding. He feels a profound need to come out into the open; therefore, when he sees the image of The Moniter, a large powerful ship standing tall and proud in the open, he is strongly affected. At least, whatever the outcome of this new plan, he will not have to hide and skulk around any longer. His deeds will be completely visible, to be observed and judged by the public for real.
Holly, I found your post to be very interesting. Throughout much of the end of the story story, Ned tries to publish his letters giving his account of his actions to the Australian people. He has such faith in the Australian public that he believes once they see these letters, they will not stand for the kind of injustice that has happened to Ned and his family. However, as he attempts to go about publishing his words, his plans are foiled multiple times. He is pushed to desperation because he believes that the government will never allow for his true story to be heard. He states his intentions as he says, "I wished only to be a citizen I had tried to speak but the mongrels stole my tongue when I asked for justice they give me none" (342). With this lack of justice, Ned feels that the only way to combat the law now is facing it head on. So, he does, and as a result, he is killed.
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