January 1870, in Paris, France - Turgenev is invited to go see the "show" of the execution of Tropmann, a young man said to be guilty of ruthlessly murdering a whole family. Tropmann's execution is more than Turgenev can handle, and the entire night before, Turgenev illustrates gloomy scenes of fear and guilt. Turgenev is included in a group of men with the "treat" of practically being VIP for the execution. In the beginning, Turgenev is proud to be included in this special group of men, but as Tropmann's final hour approaches, feelings of shame and fear rise in Turgenev. Turgenev doesn't understand the way thousands of people gathered in the streets to see a man beheaded, and the way those people made into such a form of entertainment. Turgenev's tone is full of guilt, and extremely uneasy. He simply doesn't agree with this form of entertainment, this capital punishment.
Turgenev creates a sense of doom within his writing, and makes the reader feel as if anything could happen. Tropmann has a chance to escape, but doesn't, and Turgenev illustrates the suspense as if he made the story up. Throughout the passage, Turgenev is constantly explaining his guilt and how he felt "terribly sick at heart." Turgenev's feelings convince the reader of the atrocities of the guillotine, and capital punishment itself. As the passage continues on, and the end of Tropmann comes nearer and nearer, Turgenev makes the reader wonder why capital punishment is enforced, and how it has continued for so long. Turgenev's experience at the guillotine permanently scar him, and leave him damaged for the rest of his life. He compares the sound of the guillotine falling as if it were a "retching animal," and almost loses control of himself. Turgenev feels as if capital punishment is inhumane, cruel, and unfair.
As a personal view, I agree with Turgenev's views. Capital punishment is horrifying, and should never have existed. Turgenev's views sum up everything I believe in when it comes to capital punishment, and how it should be handled. The argument will continue on, but many agree that capital punishment is wrong.
Turgenev creates a sense of doom within his writing, and makes the reader feel as if anything could happen. Tropmann has a chance to escape, but doesn't, and Turgenev illustrates the suspense as if he made the story up. Throughout the passage, Turgenev is constantly explaining his guilt and how he felt "terribly sick at heart." Turgenev's feelings convince the reader of the atrocities of the guillotine, and capital punishment itself. As the passage continues on, and the end of Tropmann comes nearer and nearer, Turgenev makes the reader wonder why capital punishment is enforced, and how it has continued for so long. Turgenev's experience at the guillotine permanently scar him, and leave him damaged for the rest of his life. He compares the sound of the guillotine falling as if it were a "retching animal," and almost loses control of himself. Turgenev feels as if capital punishment is inhumane, cruel, and unfair.
As a personal view, I agree with Turgenev's views. Capital punishment is horrifying, and should never have existed. Turgenev's views sum up everything I believe in when it comes to capital punishment, and how it should be handled. The argument will continue on, but many agree that capital punishment is wrong.
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