Albert Camus - Reflections on the Guillotine

 

BLOOD

 

 

 

 

 

 

GUILLOTINE

 

 

 

Now that I have caught your attention lets dig in. And no, we’re not discussing a Halloween themed party, we’re actually embarking on an important aspect of a philosophical view and review in regard to death penalties. After a very long break I’m in fact making a strong comeback, ready and energized to spill more tea and coffee over books. 

 

With that lets start with the bloody stuff ..

 

Shall we?

 

It’s a yes I know!

 

Before we start, I’m obliged to let you know that this discussion strikes multiple factors of one’s credence and principles. Which is why feel free to sail your way through or even skip this chat (will see you in the next one! ) if you sense that it’s not your place of comfort. Don’t worry you won’t miss a thing.

 

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Now that we’re all comfortable and cozy in here lets start. 

 

 

 

Reflection on the Guillotine: By Albert Camus,  is a mesmerizing analytical book that concerns such a heartfelt topic as death penalties and executions. Within the 80-page publication, a lot has been covered indicating the importance and sensitivity of the aforesaid. However, as you flip on the pages, one after the other, you would come to a realization that Camus is not willing to change your mind. His view of the topic and style of writing indicates his duty as a philosopher and a person of knowledge to make others understand the reality and actuality of such a thing.  With that, the book is like reading a scripted lecture by a professor in an interesting way. To which, by the end of the lecture, you will be having a full view of the indicated consultation along with where you stand and why so. 

 

As Neutral as Camus ideas are, you can still sense him taking sides, but that’s not a topic of concern at the moment. It’s the ideas and the analogy presented that are and has to be the focal point, which he successfully accomplished. The concern is mostly adverted over the humanitarian aspects of death. With that, our sympathy along with our systemic inquiry is what will behold of such a point.  The author pointed out multiple arguable points concerning the topic, but more emphasis and weight has been put on the public view. 

 

Now back at the time, executions were not seen as a traumatic event where everyone would be covered in funeral black garments and grieve for days and months (you would if you’re family or close). Nope. It was the complete opposite. Executions were seen as some kind of a free entertainment for the public, in which bets would be made, snacks and other goodies would be sold, as well as singing and dancing accompanying the procession. All that while the condemned is being prepared to die. 

 

 

Yes to die .. 

 

But if you ask any of those people about their feelings on what was about to happen or even their emotions afterwards, no answer would be given. And that’s an expected response. Silence that is engulfed with numbness of affection. They appreciate what’s happening of course because they are the ones who are being entertained and have plenty of stories to tell when its all over. In fact, they can’t seem to feel a thing because their pleasure exceeds the upcoming tragedy. Not only that, but some don’t even know why they’re here, they only know that entertainment is provided, so off we go!. 

 

Camus has been against public amusements and leisure that are followed by death and loss of life. An appalling deed attended by dancing, singing and all sorts of games and entertainment is a line that shall not be crossed, both ethically and socially. He argued that people’s sensations would be awakened when they’re given the opportunity to touch the appliances used, the wood that the head would be on and the basket that will assimilate the severed body. As he said:

 

'' But if people are shown the machine, made to touch the wood and steel and to hear

The sound of head falling, then public imagination, suddenly awakened, will

Repudiate both the vocabulary and the penalty ''. 

 

Its a lot to imagine,

 the pain, the scene or even just popping in some opinions when you have not been on the scaffold yourself.  You might be on the wrong side for most of the time because of your position as a viewer among the crowd. Yet, that would all change when and if you have the opportunity to be on the opposite verge of the setting and have the opportunity to touch the things presented ahead of you. Here, your senses will come to life for sure.

 

You will not be escorted by fear before or even after the event. For you have been categorized as a viewer and not a participant. Needless to say, you will certainly have a collection of stories to tell from where you’ve been standing or what you heard from the folks in the first row. Not to forget the precise description of the body, head and the mouth that didn’t stop moving even after the head has been decapitated.  Your emotions and senses as Camus argued in the book will be blocked for eternity. Unless you are the one on the scaffold, that’s when things will change and turns will be taken as a result. According to the audience in view, such a thing does not exist, the carnival like setup indicates nothing but jolliness, so how can death interfere. As Camus stated:

 

'' It hardly seems to exist, except for the man who suffers it – in his soul for months and years, in his body during the desperate and violent hour when he is cut in two without suppressing his 

life''.  

 

 

Another sensitive indicator of the topic that Camus pointed but I won’t be diving in is the whole idea behind religion and the justification given through the scriptures. Thereby, Camus argued that one has to judge and have a say as a result of our tolerance and compassion towards humankind. Especially that the scriptures do not encourage death as a penalty at all times. Forgiveness is always reinforced and given more importance than any other index with reference to the former. And that concerns all three faiths, regardless.

 

 

As painful as the verbal elucidation is, I believe you did zone out for a bit and started to wonder about the pain, sharpness of the blade and how long does that procession takes. Digging through your history books and watching some documentaries would fill in the blanks for sure, but here’s an answer that none of us want to hear. On  behalf of Dr. Guillotine Camus said and I quote:  

" According to the optimistic Dr. Guillotine, the condemned was not

to feel anything. At most a slight sensation of coldness on his neck''.   

 

 

In fact, the condemned does feel the sharpness of the blade as the sound of blood rings in their ear. Read and search about Queen Mary of Scot’s execution and you’ll know what I’m talking about.

 

Trigger warning, again. Its not pleasant, so if you can’t stand the visualization just don’t.

 

 

With that, our conversation ends.

 

 

I hope you’re not feeling eerie and uncomfortable with that discussion, despite you being brave enough to handle such a chronicle representation!.

If I did make you feel agonized, sorry ..

And if you were about to have a meal to eat or maybe uber is knocking on your door.  My apologies again, for I sure know that you will stay away from red liquids and jelly like substances for a period of time.  

 

Its not my intention to change your mind or make your feel uncomfortable in any way. Its just a small cozy talk encircling a philosophical book with deep analytical representations on the subject. The book focuses on several major themes concerning the same topic, but I wanted to shed some light over the entertainment part for its authenticity, taking our part as rational beings with logical mindsets of choice. 

 

 

Whereas for those who were brave enough to take it all in,  I hope you enjoyed our chitchat and are curious enough to know more by getting a copy of your own!

*HIGH FIVE* and Bon appetite!