Some people know they are condemned; some have time to pray, and others die struggling and screaming, fighting to their last breath. An irate killer stamps in to the tribunal-"Use your heads, give us a bloody chance, can't you? We can't keep up." So the prisoners are waved away airily by their judges-"Go, you're free." Outside the door a steady man waits to fell them. Freedom is the last thing they know.
The quote illustrates the contrasting reactions of individuals facing condemnation. Some are resigned to their fate and find solace in prayer, while others resist their impending death with intense struggle. This highlights the diverse human experiences in the face of mortality; some face it calmly, while others fight desperately against it.
The scene at the tribunal emphasizes the dark irony of freedom being granted to those who are unknowingly stepping into their doom. The judges dismiss the prisoners casually, unaware that a grim fate awaits them outside—a “steady man” ready to carry out the execution. This stark juxtaposition portrays the fragility of life and the cruel twists of destiny.
