Machete Season - 1360 Words

3) Discuss the idea of forgiveness and guilt in Machete Season. In your paper, analyze how the men discuss the idea of guilt how they understand the concept of forgiveness. Consider: How do different men in the group understand guilt and forgiveness? Do the men feel guilt? Are you surprised by their sense/lack of guilt? Why are you surprised? How does Hatzfeld treat this topic? Philosopher Paul Ricoeur posed the question, how â€Å"can one forgive someone who does not admit his guilt?†(Hatzfeld 195) Whether this admission of guilt is enough to be forgiven or not, the â€Å"sincere† taking of responsibility for one’s actions is an absolute minimum in striving for forgiveness. Ricoeur’s question becomes especially relevant when discussing the†¦show more content†¦As Hatzfeld describes, these apologies are in many ways a â€Å"selfish act† because it facilitates the â€Å"diminishing of his offence and, thus, his punishment, even his guilt†(199). This is made clear in many of the interviews when discussing forgiveness, as the conversation often shifts to the discussion of the prisoners own problems such as Fulgence’s â€Å"shivery†(157) when thinking of his â€Å"prison future†, Elie’s dreams void of â€Å"the killed people†(162) but rather consisting of a return to his †Å"house†, and Pio’s desire to â€Å"assuage my memory†(160). Asking for forgiveness becomes a means to getting out of prison sooner, returning to family and friends sooner, and finally, to ease their own nightmares rather than concern for the victim’s own families, futures, and mental states. Comments like â€Å"He asked for forgiveness of everyone at his trial, and he still got a heavy sentence†(203) reflect the naà ¯ve and selfish attitude these killers have, not understanding the â€Å"extraordinary effort†(199) needed to forgive such horrific crimes. This selfishness is also reflected in to whom they are addressing, the next weakness in the sincerity of their apologies. Rather than asking the victims for forgiveness, the most effected by their actions, many of these prisoners seem to be more worried about receiving forgiveness from God, and protecting their own futures. Fulgence epitomizes this attitude when he claims that theShow MoreRelatedThe Rwandan Genocide And The Genocide1393 Words   |  6 Pagesan uneven distribution of status between themselves and the Hutu; explaining the chapter in Machete Season called â€Å"Suffering.† In this chapter, the killers (Hutu) use this as their cause behind not killing someone instantly, rather torturing them for their previous actions in positions of authority. The history of colonialism evident better explains not only the motives of the killers in Machete Season, but also the mindset behind why the genocide occurred. The meaning behind this can be summarizedRead More Psychol ogy of State-Sponsored Violence 1731 Words   |  7 Pagespsychologically affecting them, resulting in participation of acts such as genocide. When ordinary people are asked to conform to general group views they will more than likely feel pressure to correspond to the views of the general group. In Machete Season, Hatzfield interviews many of the people involved in the Rwandan genocide. One interviewee mentions that he feared showing feelings of sadness because he might be accused of complicity. This once again goes back to the idea of deviance in sociologicalRead MoreOkonkwo as a Tragic Hero-Things Fall Apart1198 Words   |  5 Pagesself-established and hardworking man. After the death of his carefree and indolent father, who left him with undue debt he took the responsibility of providing for his family. 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As part of the Catholic/Voodoo amalgamation, Rara began to begin on Epiphany in the church calendarRead MoreThomas Hardy- Tess of the D’urbervilles (Non-African)1366 Words   |  6 Pagesthe ancient Kingdom of King Alfred. It includes six countries in Southern England and stretches from the England channel in the west and from Oxford in the North. Hardy describes the imaginary setting in detail, telling of valleys, woods, meadows, seasons, inns and villages in a very realistic manner. He made the setting come to life because Hardy was no stranger to this geographic location. He was born in Dourest in this part of England, and the best of his novels and short stories are set there.