Stephen is shown to be grateful for the friendship even despite the unpleasant power difference between the two. There is heavy repetition of the phrase “It was Keith who…”, showing us that in the adult Stephen’s memory, it is Keith who initiates everything: all the missions and ideas. For example, Keith is shown to take the lead as in the investigation of his mother’s desk. There are also threats of violence from Keith, shown by the incident of swearing an oath of secrecy using the “bayonet”, and the repeated comparisons between Keith’s looks and his father’s: “He looks like his father”. This creates a sinister quality to Keith’s power over Stephen that the young Stephen only seems to be partly aware of. The use of almost biblical language: “he uttered the words and the words became so” demonstrate Keith’s strong power. Stephen’s inherent fear is shown through the fact that he twice fails to correct Keith’s spelling of the word “private”. His self-esteem is obviously quite low, and Keith is able to exploit that well.
Stephen is repeatedly shown to be merely second best when it comes to him and Keith. He is the “sword-bearer” and not the “leader”. He is the “logbook” writer, not the hands-on “investigator”. Stephen is frequently the one who is “following” Keith; it does not happen the other way around. Keith does all the spying, identifying which details are worthy of recording. It is clear that Keith is the dominant boy, whilst Stephen is subservient. The fact that Keith is more than willing to let the following of him, and perhaps even idolising and admiration of him occur, I believe shows not only his vanity, but also his selfish side. In any society, friends are social equals, but here with Keith and Stephen, this is clearly not the case. There is, however, a suggestion that the boys seem to be happy with this balance in their relationship, something that probably and inevitably contributes to its longevity.
Stephen and Keith are presented as two children enjoying the imaginary games of childhood together. The recreation of the experience of spying is particular proof of this. The present tense is used and the young Stephen is presented in the first person, so as to create an immediacy and sense of excitement to their activities, such as “creeping” into Keith’s house to investigate Mrs. Hayward’s desk, or when imagining Mr. Gort to be a “murderer”. Childish details such as the excitement of using a disguise kit, gliding “across to the desk as silently as Sioux”, conveying the children’s interest in cowboys all adds to the effect of creating a less than mature, childlike attitude. The soft alliteration in “silently as Sioux” further reinforces the weak, imaginary effect of childhood.
Later in the book where the boys follow Mrs. Hayward through the tunnel for the first time, it is Stephen’s idea. Stephen is appropriately pleased that he has taken some initiative. However, Keith is said to maintain “an attitude of judicious caution about [the] proposals, to remind [Stephen] that [Keith is] still leader of this expedition”. This is further to the point that Stephen is subservient to Keith, who exploits it. It is, naturally, possible to see who the dominant person in the friendship is.
During chapter five, Stephen goes through the tunnel on his own, at night. Not only does it show his determination to overcome fears, it shows that he is wanting to collect evidence to impress Keith. A friendship should be about qualities that are appreciated about each other. However, the fact that Stephen feels he has to go out of his way to impress Keith, shows that perhaps Stephen feels obliged to do so, in order for their friendship to continue. Keith, at this point, continues to be his usual submissive self. We can see this when an upset Stephen says “My great exploit hasn’t pleased or impressed him … He’s the … hero, not me”. We can see Stephen feels his own worth to be less than that of Keith’s, a completely flawed judgement. When talking to Stephen, we are told Keith “demands” answers from Stephen. “Demand” is a stark, imperative verb which shows how much in control Keith seems to be, compared to Stephen.
Their relationship takes a turn for the worse when Keith is wrongly accused by his father for stealing a flask (the flask that Stephen had used whilst in the tunnel). Stephen beings to feel guilt for all his “betrayals and failures” to Keith. Not only does he now talk on a frequent basis to Barbara Berrill, but he sees less of Keith. He can see a “looming … catastrophe”, and it is hinted that their relationship may be coming to an end. All their recent meetings have been tense; if their relationship was coming to an end, Stephen would no doubt feel culpable, and it is for this reason he pleads with himself to “make amends” with Keith. This clearly shows how much he is in awe of Keith, and is seen as grateful for the relationship.
Stephen is reluctant to be friends with anyone except Keith. When Barbara expresses an interest in being Stephen’s new best friend, he becomes shocked and outraged, telling himself “she’s trying to supplant Keith!” as he battles with his “indignation”. The simple use of an exclamation mark here evidently shows his irritation and surprise at what Barbara seems to be doing – taking Keith’s place. However, Stephen’s friendship with Keith is undoubtedly coming to some sort of pinnacle, as their encounters become increasingly few and far between, short, and terse.
When the policeman visits the Hayward household, and Stephen is looking at Stephen’s house with the crowd of children, stark realisation sets in: “I’ve ceased to be his friend; I’ve become one of the mob”. The two clauses in this sentence are very short, and this has a definite effect on the interpretation. The shortness expresses his guilt and how upset he must feel at this point.
The final obstacle to their relationship was the fact that Stephen, in a moment of weakness, had shared all of their secrets with Barbara. Keith probably felt betrayed, perhaps even jealous. In his jealousy, he threatens Stephen with the “bayonet”. Stephen says he can “feel the point of the bayonet” against his “throat” whilst Keith “smiles”. This seems to suggest that Keith enjoys the power he has to frighten his friend. The two short sentences “You swore. You double swore” shows that Keith is extremely angry with Stephen. He “whispers” these words, and that goes as further evidence of his admiration with power. He seems to enjoy threatening Stephen. He seems to have no sense of remorse as on two separate occasions “the pressure on [Stephen’s] throat increases”. Keith clearly, even beyond their friendship, is in control. We are told that after this moment, Stephen “never went to Keith’s house again”. Their relationship had an abrupt ending as a result of the force and violence which Keith used on countless occasions.
Therefore, and interesting and complicating relationship between Keith and Stephen is presented. We can clearly see that Stephen both admires Keith, and is frightened of him. They both enjoy childish games, but violence and threat exists. We see the relationship solely from Stephen’s perspective, and as a consequence, only gain an insight into Keith through Stephen. The shifting between the past and present tense, and first and third person adds to the sense of complexity. It is further proof that the relationship can be viewed in many different ways. There obviously existed an uneven power balance in their relationship, as well as fear, happiness and comedy, which all effectively added to the intricacy of the boys’ relationship.
