Summary

In Chapter 8, the Goanna is held in Chagi's P Hall where all the condemned prisoners live together. The guards routinely notify the men who will be the next to be hanged. Each time the notification occurs, all the men not notified are relieved at having a little more time to live. One day, the guards measure and weigh the Goanna and he knows it's so that the hangman will ensure that he dies quickly. He knows that some of the condemned men had shouted out for their country as they died but he believes his country has done nothing for him. As the hours tick down toward his death, he realizes that he wants desperately to have an idea that is wholly his own. He wishes he could feel fulfilled but can't. Guards take him to the gallows and ask if he...