One may feel a certain indifference to the death penalty, one may refrain from pronouncing upon it, from saying yes or no, so long as one has not seen a guillotine with one's own eyes: but if one encounters one of them, the shock is violent; one is forced to decide, and to take part for or against. Some
In Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables," the author reflects on the emotional detachment that people may have toward the death penalty when it remains a distant concept. Individuals may choose to remain neutral, withholding judgment about it until they encounter the grim reality firsthand. This indifference can persist as long as one does not confront the actual apparatus of execution, such as a guillotine.
However, witnessing such an instrument can be a jarring experience that compels individuals to reevaluate their stance. The confrontation forces a decision, urging one to take a definitive position either in support of or against the death penalty. This powerful moment illustrates the impact of direct experience on one's beliefs and moral judgments regarding capital punishment.
