Rhodes

Perhaps the most dominant character in the play “Brother in the Land” is Rhodes. His confidence and independence during such a crucial period serve as his prominent traits while most were subject to trauma. His character is a melting pot of flaws which Swindells has left up to us to justify as Danny’s dialogues continue to paint a  negative picture of this supposedly ‘sadistic man’.
Rhodes is introduced to us as a mean and cruel personality while he addresses the children regarding the security measures to be taken in case of a nuclear attack that was bound to come in a highly pessimistic manner. Initially, we find this demoralizing for children when he says;
“You won’t be so happy when the authorities come to pick up
your dead relatives or what is left of them…”
Later, however, we realize that at such a crucial time children have to act maturely to cope up with the rest. Therefore, the painful reality would prove to be more beneficial than lying to them as they would be mentally prepared at times of need.
He is soon recognized to be brutal and inhumane with no concern for the human race. Danny even labels him as a man who is fond of war and relishes each and every minute of it by killing people like his father and, later, Ben. We have to accept the fact that desperate times call for desperate measures. He was relying on his own strength as he realized the gravity of the apocalyptic situation he was living in. He was well aware of the fact that it was the survival of the fittest. This shows his far sightedness. For this reason, he joins the MASADA to make survival easier for himself rather than serving mankind. He later betrays it and hides the stolen food in the cellar. Some might call him selfish for not sharing food with Danny, Kim and Ben but he was just trying to save up food for himself by trying to act as if he owned it. He knew he would need it as he saw difficult times lie ahead of them.
Rhodes can also be seen as a sharp-minded and clever figure that had a hand at planning ambushes which is possible as he is bossy and authoritative by nature. However, he never appreciated Danny’s efforts of memorizing the map of Kershaw’s Farm when he was kidnapped. Without him, the success of the siege operation was impossible.
Despite being portrayed as a negative sided man we must agree to the fact that the play would not have been to grasping in his absence. He is portrayed as a theme of the play which Robert Swindells has emphasized on: one must fight evil to prevail well and evil is hidden almost everywhere.