Through the first three soliloquies, I have come to characterize Ed Tom Bell as being thoughtful in his duties. He is willing to act but never acts without thinking. Thoughtfulness is apparent in his recognition of the inherent danger as sheriff, and his continuation with such a job showcases his willingness to act. His decisions regarding his equipment are not made blindly, but rather are characterized by thoughtful comparison and a reliance upon experience.
The purpose of the first three soliloquies is to examine the experiences of Ed Tom Bell and apply them to reach a deeper understanding of the mind of Anton Chigurh, and how law enforcement has come to cope with such criminals. The first soliloquy talks about a deranged young man who killed a girl and admitted that upon release, he would kill again. Bell saw no soul in the man. This was the one and only case in Bell’s time as sheriff where he committed a man to death. This soliloquy gives us comparison for when we are later introduced to Chigurh, as well as an example of how law enforcement deals with minds similar to his. The second soliloquy shows the progression of crime Bell has experienced as sheriff. It comes to a head when we hear of two young men who embarked on a killing spree, leaving Bell to wonder how many cold-blooded killers like this there are, and how we would be able to predict such a prophet of destruction.
Great American Novels 