Eunseo KIm / Chapter 2 Part 2 B1 / Wed 1-2

Can you understand why Esther killed Laurence? Can you accept that she did so?

 

           To shortly elaborate the background of why Esther killed Lawrence, she was overwhelmed with rage and disappointment over the betrayal of her lover. Esther had been homesick ever since she left her homeland, and had been heavily dependent on Father Paul and Lawrence. Lawrence was her lover, and they were happily dreaming of getting married. However, Esther accidentally overhears as Father Paul convinces Lawrence to give up the marriage. Contrary to her expectation, Lawrence rather easily accepts it. That same night, Esther sneaks into Lawrence's room and kills him.

           Managing emotions is tough. It may be the feeling of love, anger, depression or sorrow. Some people are controlled by emotions, while others are capable of hiding or even overcoming such feelings. It highly depends on the experience, background, and personality of different people. In the passage, Esther was less capable of controlling her emotions that she killed her lover. Her emotions became so extreme that she committed murder, which is irrational for a person in emotionally normal state. Taking a closer look to what made her kill her lover, it is probably the feeling of loneliness from homesick. She had been relying heavily on Father Paul, and probably to full extent, on Lawrence. From the conversation she overheard, she was betrayed by both her anchor and lover. To her disappointment, the two people she loved had turned their back on her. Esther's depression must have been maximized; making her kill Lawrence. There may be more than this, more factors that added up to her actions. It is understandable, in this light, why Esther made such a decision.

           However, understanding Esther and accepting her brutality is a completely different matter. People must refrain from acting solely upon their emotions. There is, up to some extent, guidelines that people must observe no matter what their feelings. It may be the constitution, law, or comparatively light policies and norms. Committing a murder is not something to be ignored or forgiven; Esther has gone far beyond the acceptable. She should not have killed her lover but instead, first of all, talk to Father Paul and her lover about it. She could have given them a chance to either let them elucidate or apologize. Killing her lover was too extreme and unreasonable. It is an undisputable truth that Esther has undergone a tragedy, but she should have been more responsible for her actions. Thus, Esther is understandable considering her background and situation, but it is dangerous to accept her cruelty as well.