I would like to talk about a factor in my book that is very crucial. Justice.
Lacy Gallatin is a girl probably around eighteen or nineteen who craves justice for her father's death. Her father died by an accident when eight men were celebrating by shooting into the air. Someone accidentally shot George Gallatin as he was walking to the smithy shop. And so, Lacy would do anything to find the man responsible for the evil act. She has such an extroverted character, that she even walked into Rafe's Saloon looking for his "killer".
So considering Lacy's obvious obsession with justice, I ask myself: Is justice ALWAYS a good thing? Yes and No. Why? Because, when justice is for good causes, such as bad people who have repeatedly killed (or other), brought to justice, it is a good thing. But in an accident such as the one involving George Gallatin, I do not agree with Lacy's viewpiont. Because killing someone who has accidentally killed another, and you are sure of the accident, then it is not just to kill him in vengeance and punishment.
This is my personal view. (I know Noah will comment something interesting =) LOL)
It is wrong to want someone who accidently killed an innocent man, but was it really an accident? Can he prove it was an accident? She is obviously is grieving for her fathers death and wants revenge because she is angry, but is the man who shot her father so innocent? The case could be that she is just overwhelmed with anger and she is being controlled by her emotions or she could have a sensible reason for her actions which sound highly unlikely, but I think that she may have more to tell you about her reason.
ReplyDeleteLindsey, this is a great first blog. You really asked good questions concerning justice. And I agree with you, Lacy Gallitin's quest to find the killer was a bad choice, because who are we to take someones life, even if they do us harm?
ReplyDeleteLindsey- I love your topic here! Values implied by a particular piece or story are always an interesting points for analysis and discussion. We do a lot of this in philosophy and debate. My response to you on this post is this: What is justice? Is it just for one man to kill another? In what circumstances? Is the death penalty just? These are all values that are relevant to the justice theme in your story.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of analysis you need a little more in terms of textual and thematic relevance. Your post was a little short of the guidelines so perhaps next time you'll be able to get it all once you hit the 3 to 5 paragraph mark.
I'm excited to see how things develop for you as the year progresses.
Mandy - All of the men who were around that day,were good friends of George Gallatin. They were deeply sad and disappointed by the accident. But, since I didn't write the book, I don't know if the story will develop into eventually finding the "guilty" man, but I do know that at this point in the story, it doesn't seem like there could be a way to prove that someone killed him on purpose.
ReplyDeleteShe is DEFINITELY grieving the death of her father, and over all, she wants justice and revenge. Her main mindset is "Someone needs to pay."
I don't know how the story will end, (it's a series), but right now, I don't think that anyone purposely killed George Gallatin.
Mrs. Ilacqua - Justice is the upholding of what is just, especially fair treatment and due reward in accordance with honor, standards, or law.
ReplyDeleteIt is DEFINITELY not just for any person to kill another because he/she is taking God-given life from someone under a case which they have no right to.
The death penalty is just for people who have done horrible things to others...especially to family. I don't understand how one person can hurt or kill another, but I know that under some cases, the death penalty is just. But it is not just under cases where the person was not guilty. Actually, in this book (if you read the summary part about Hank (so you know who he is),Hank's father was unjustly given the death penalty for horse theft. Two weeks later, they found out that he was indeed innocent, and two young boys were left without a father, and their mother without a husband. Under cases like this, it is not just to punish another with death without sufficient information. Assuming someone is guilty just doesn't cut it.
I just basically answered your questions and I promise I will have a longer and more in depth post next time. =)