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Handy Baker
Another convict in the penal colony. Along with Handy Baker, Ketch is part of the group that steals from the colony’s food supply at the beginning of the play. Unlike the others, though, he avoids the death penalty by accepting a job as the colony’s hangman. This upsets him deeply, but since he was only going along with the plan to steal food, he thinks he doesn’t deserve to die. Still, though, he admits to Ralph that he’s worried God won’t forgive him for hanging his co-conspirators. Furthermore, his role as the hangman has made him wildly unpopular in the camp. Because of this, he pleads with Ralph to be cast in the play, hoping he’ll be able to redeem himself by joining the production. At first, the other actors only continue to resent him, refusing to act alongside him. By the end, though, they stop giving him a hard time.
Ketch Freeman (James Freeman) Quotes in Our Country’s Good
The Our Country’s Good quotes below are all either spoken by Ketch Freeman (James Freeman) or refer to Ketch Freeman (James Freeman). For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Act One, Scene Nine Quotes
When I say my prayers I have a terrible doubt. How can I be sure God is forgiving me? What if he will forgive me, but hasn’t forgiven me yet? That’s why I don’t want to die, Sir. That’s why I can’t die. Not until I am sure. Are you sure?
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Ketch Freeman (James Freeman) Character Timeline in Our Country’s Good
The timeline below shows where the character Ketch Freeman (James Freeman) appears in Our Country’s Good. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Act One, Scene Three
...the convict’s age indicates no such thing. Next, Harry tells Phillip that a convict named James Freeman has also been sentenced to death. The final criminal, Harry says, is Handy Baker, a...
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Act One, Scene Eight
As Liz and Dabby fight, Ketch Freeman enters and asks why they’re “at each other’s throats.” The two women stop fighting...
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Act One, Scene Nine
...and at midnight takes out his wife’s picture to kiss it, but he’s interrupted by Ketch, who apologizes for intruding. “When I say my prayers I have a terrible doubt,” Ketch...
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Ketch upholds that—although he was involved in the murder of a worker who went against the...
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Act One, Scene Eleven
...Officer, Ralph gathers the convicts he’s casted, including Sideway, Wisehammer, Mary, Liz, Dabby, Duckling, and Ketch. As Ralph tries to begin, the prisoners insult Ketch because he’s the hangman. Duckling protests...
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Act Two, Scene Six
Later, Harry summons Ketch to take Liz’s measurements in preparation for her hanging the next day. Apologetically, Ketch tries...
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After measuring Liz, Ketch apologizes again, telling her that if he doesn’t hang her, someone else will. At least,...
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Act Two, Scene Seven
...new.” Still, Dabby doesn’t hide that she’s unhappy with her role, eventually storming away as Ketch enters and begins to rehearse. However, Mary has a hard time doing a scene with...
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Act Two, Scene Ten
...but Harry is dead and was never able to relay her message in court. Although Ketch gave an account of what Liz said to Harry when she was getting measured for...
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Act Two, Scene Eleven
...pass him and Mary asks, “Are the savages coming to see the play as well?” Ketch explains that the Aboriginal Australians are dying of small pox. “I hope they won’t upset...
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...including Liz, who says she’d happily be part of Sideway’s company. “And so will I,” Ketch chimes in, and Sideway says, “I’ll hold auditions tomorrow.” In response, Dabby says, “Tomorrow,” and...
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...be in it in the first place. “I’m nervous too, but I have overcome it,” Ketch says. “You have to be brave to be an actor.” Ralph then tells the drunken...
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