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.