In Chpts. 22-25, everything seems to be spiraling out of control. The Albanian Toma suggests to Raymond he should allow him to deal with Clement. Should Raymond take him up on his offer?
Returning to the Western motif, Toma brazenly tells Cruz his clan will take vengeance on Clement for crippling one of his family members. His people are willing to risk their own lives to uphold the family honor in order to kill the “Wildman.”
Yet, Cruz rightly refuses Toma’s offer (although the Albanians still try to carry out their death sentence). Law and order must be upheld, even in cases where the culprit is so despicable that we would not show any remorse if that person was killed. When we allow vigilantes to act as “law” enforcers, our society suffers as innocent people will unintentionally become victims and the penalties will unevenly be meted out. The order these vigilantes seek to render will only lead to a state of chaos and lawlessness.
I feel as though Cruz shouldn't for multiple reasons. First and foremost, he wants to get Clement legally because he was involved in a case with him prior to our story starting and Cruz saw Clement get away with murder. Secondly, he wants him because Clement took a shot at him and used his ex-wife to do so. Finally, in my opinion, Cruz was trying to tell Toma to get in line because Clement is mine to take out.
Yes - I agree with your reasoning. You can never condone murder, so Cruz has to find the means to get Clement behind bars for good. I think the murder of a judge is a capitol offense, so the "Wildman" would be in prison for the rest of his life with a conviction.
Cruz was right to not accept Toma's offer. It would have been a really bad look on his character. This whole time Cruz has wanted to win in a legal manner. Putting a Albanian hit squad on Clement would take that away from him. Also Cruz still has to get Clement for shooting up his house. He won't accept Toma's offer. It would spit on his pride as a man.
Good point. It would not have been satisfying to Cruz at all if he is not able to put Clement away, himself. At this time in the book, he has spent most of the last 72 hours on the case. He needs to be the one that finally brings the "Wildman" to justice.
I think Raymond shouldn't take up the Toma's offer. The willingness of the "vengeance plan" is like taking a page out of the Godfather movies - and ultimately, in my opinion, will come back to hurt Cruz in the long run. As Dr. Anderson, mentioned, the lawlessness of vigilantes ends up causing a larger ripple effect than those involved originally intend it to. By Cruz denying the offer, it still shows his ability to maintain his self-control, as well as control of the situation in the score of the larger picture.
Yes, getting involved with such a plan cannot help but leave a "stain" on one's soul. It reminds of the Clint Eastwood movie, "Unforgiven." While the "hero's" cause was just, the way he exacted retribution lessened his own sense of humanity in the end.
Returning to the Western motif, Toma brazenly tells Cruz his clan will take vengeance on Clement for crippling one of his family members. His people are willing to risk their own lives to uphold the family honor in order to kill the “Wildman.”
ReplyDeleteYet, Cruz rightly refuses Toma’s offer (although the Albanians still try to carry out their death sentence). Law and order must be upheld, even in cases where the culprit is so despicable that we would not show any remorse if that person was killed. When we allow vigilantes to act as “law” enforcers, our society suffers as innocent people will unintentionally become victims and the penalties will unevenly be meted out. The order these vigilantes seek to render will only lead to a state of chaos and lawlessness.
I feel as though Cruz shouldn't for multiple reasons. First and foremost, he wants to get Clement legally because he was involved in a case with him prior to our story starting and Cruz saw Clement get away with murder. Secondly, he wants him because Clement took a shot at him and used his ex-wife to do so. Finally, in my opinion, Cruz was trying to tell Toma to get in line because Clement is mine to take out.
ReplyDeleteCruz was definitely telling him to back off. His machismo won't allow him to involve another person. This is Cruz's fight with Clement.
DeleteYes - I agree with your reasoning. You can never condone murder, so Cruz has to find the means to get Clement behind bars for good. I think the murder of a judge is a capitol offense, so the "Wildman" would be in prison for the rest of his life with a conviction.
ReplyDeleteCruz was right to not accept Toma's offer. It would have been a really bad look on his character. This whole time Cruz has wanted to win in a legal manner. Putting a Albanian hit squad on Clement would take that away from him. Also Cruz still has to get Clement for shooting up his house. He won't accept Toma's offer. It would spit on his pride as a man.
ReplyDeleteGood point. It would not have been satisfying to Cruz at all if he is not able to put Clement away, himself. At this time in the book, he has spent most of the last 72 hours on the case. He needs to be the one that finally brings the "Wildman" to justice.
ReplyDeleteI think Raymond shouldn't take up the Toma's offer. The willingness of the "vengeance plan" is like taking a page out of the Godfather movies - and ultimately, in my opinion, will come back to hurt Cruz in the long run. As Dr. Anderson, mentioned, the lawlessness of vigilantes ends up causing a larger ripple effect than those involved originally intend it to. By Cruz denying the offer, it still shows his ability to maintain his self-control, as well as control of the situation in the score of the larger picture.
ReplyDeleteYes, getting involved with such a plan cannot help but leave a "stain" on one's soul. It reminds of the Clint Eastwood movie, "Unforgiven." While the "hero's" cause was just, the way he exacted retribution lessened his own sense of humanity in the end.
Delete