The Relationship between John Fitzpatrick and Ned Kelly

I noticed a strange relationship forming between Ned Kelly and John Fitzpatrick after Wednesday’s reading. First, Ned Kelly and John Fitzpatrick did not necessarily meet on the best terms. Ned had been arrested for sticking up McBean (142-143), and was later transferred to a jail in Melbourne where he met the Commissioner (145-146). After getting into an altercation with the Commissioner, Ned tried to challenge him to a fight but faced Fitzpatrick instead (147). Ned ended up winning the fight when he completely knocked-out Fitzpatrick with a blow to the head (147). Even though Ned violently beat Fitzpatrick, he did not know that he was possibly encountering a future friend.

After the fight had occurred, Fitzpatrick visits Ned in his jail cell bringing blankets, alcohol, and lamb (148-149). He tells Ned that the police are corrupt and that he needs to be especially careful (150-151). This is when the relationship between these two characters struck me as strange. Why would Fitzpatrick want to befriend Ned? I cannot determine how Fitzpatrick could personally benefit from a friendship/relationship with Ned. At this point, we know that Fitzpatrick works for the Commissioner in some form or another. We might also be able to conclude that he was a criminal in the past since he fears a place called Mount Egerton (149-150). Therefore, Fitzpatrick may understand what Ned is experiencing. We can also infer that this relationship between Ned and Fitzpatrick does develop further since Ned is introduced to his future lover by Fitzpatrick’s brother (150). Fitzpatrick may be helping Ned in hopes to one day ask for a favor in return. Another reason to commence a friendship could be that Fitzpatrick recognizes Ned’s strength and would rather be his friend than his enemy. Either way, I believe that Fitzpatrick may have some type of motive for helping Ned in his time of need.