You kind of answer your own question, I mean, it's probably a bit of a few of those things and also add to that, the pure shame, including the spite his own son held for him. The words of his son may've made him realise just how contemptible he is and that perhaps his one redeeming feature, his son, even he loathes him and his ways.
In Tetley's own twisted way, part of the reason he went on, let alone 'lead,' this whole venture, was 'for his son.' But given that even failed, the last remnants of respect from his son, lost, his reason for living, being, was shattered.
One can also presume - Just his behaviour with his son, the mum wasn't around, presumably she died, or left, and even just his wearing of the uniform for that venture - he still clearly had his own demons lingering from his war days. And he WAS a Major after all, so again, in war he was a leader of men, groups of men far larger than this. And he would've lead armies into many a battle (Well atleast some). Heck, maybe he lost a battle, maybe he lost alot of men? Maybe he had to hang people during the war - seems he's had experience doing so. Maybe he failed in the war and had hang ups over that - I mean, a former Major, to be about a dingy town like that? Where are the accolades? Where's his wife? You can tell the Major was a 'loser' from that war (In many ways I mean, psychologically, even if he was well decorated, and really, are there any 'winners' in war?) and I'm not sure entirely, but on immediate suspicion I thought his uniform was Confederate, but given the setting was Nebraska, a Northern state? then it must've been a Union one. In any case, it was clear that while he may've left the war, the war never left him.
Also, his trotting back up to his home, segregated from the community as they were prior to this, in their stately home (With servants), it would be somewhat clear Tetley would not have THAT many hang ups on what the loafers etc think. It would be as much a matter of his own pride, reason for being, shame etc... as much as fear of consequences.
Tetley's death in some ways could be seen as a kind of falling on his sword thing. He was certainly disgraced (On many levels, especially in his own mind - his own personal honour), and his son exposed his last semblance or pretence, of worth/justification. He was probably already in a dark place, and the fact he lost his son, his son's respect (Confirmed at the door), and that could've been the final nail, as it were - Nothing to live for after that.
Some have covered it and I suppose I touched on it too - Clearly he already had issues prior to this whole scenario anyway, including, or as a consequence, a dysfunctional relationship with his son. And the fact a former major thinks joining a lynch mob would 'make a man' out of his son who's clearly already a more sensitive chap, reading between the lines conveys Tetley has psychological scars from his war days, atleast - again maybe that's why the mother isn't in the picture? And that too in itself, no matter what manner of departure, could add to any family trauma for the son aswell as the father. Especially that era, divorce not common/socially accepted and if the mum suicided, then there certainly great shame with that too, especially those days and a man of honour like that.
Edit: One more thing, rationale - Relating to his son again, if Davies and co were the voice of reason for the mob, then the strongest possible voice of reason for he who had the power, who lead/controlled the mob and who so clearly was not swayed by Davies, was Tetley's very own Son. Tetley's son time and time again, if you guys recall, at near EVERY turn Tetley's son initially REFUSES his father - "No I won't do it!" Even at the start, when Tetley calls on his son to join him in the possie venture, Tetley's son doesn't want to. But Tetley's son eventually budges to his domineering father. But as the whole episode draws on and the deeper Tetley and the mob, sink, the further and stronger Tetley's son resists. At the very end, at the horse, Tetley's son refuses to whip the horse and his father pistol whips him for it. It was clear to Tetley right through, his son was not built, was morally against what was taking place, but yet Tetley pursued in-spite. Tetley ignored his son's own voice of reason, wishes, even ways and wisdom and in the end, his faint link with his son, was severed. If only Tetley was not so twisted by the trauma of his life, he may've relented and seen of his errors, but that was never going to happen as Tetley was already a broken man and even his son new, he couldn't fix (Or more fix himself, and his 'cowardly ways' for) his proud and hard to please, father - not even fix the scenario as in to kill his own father due to the uncontrollable monster Major Tetley had become - which the Son ofcourse expressed to Tetley himself, before he suicided.
"If anyone wants me I'll be in my room" - Lisa Simpson
reply
share