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How does "The Tiger in the Tunnel" illustrate the theme of an ordinary man's extraordinary courage?

Baldeo's death shows an ordinary man's extraordinary courage.


Baldeo is quite ordinary.  There is nothing that outwardly distinguishes him from anyone else.  He works a standard job as the night watchman.  Yet, Bond infuses Baldeo with extraordinary courage when he has to come face to face with the tiger in the tunnel.  Baldeo shows incredible resolve as the "huge body of the tiger [is] trotting steadily towards him."  It would be completely understandable if Baldeo ran away. However, Baldeo's courage is evident in how he knows that "flight was useless."  He knows that the tiger is "more sure-footed" and could take him down if Baldeo retreated.


Baldeo shows heroic stature, having "dared to stand in the way" while "the great brute [was] moving rapidly towards him."  As the tiger attacked, Baldeo uses his axe to defend himself.  Baldeo never once backs down, even when he has lost his weapon and the tiger "sprang upon him."  In this entire sequence, Bond describes the last moments of Baldeo's life as representative of extraordinary courage. The way Baldeo faces certain death is filled with valor because he does not acquiesce to fear.  While Baldeo is ordinary, the way he approaches his final moments embodies extraordinary courage.

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