Although many of the characters in Mystic River possess tragic flaws, only Dave
has the ability to truly claim innocence. Taking another man’s life is a major
sin, but uncovering the truth behind the killing is integral. Is the murder out
of self defense, or defense for another? In Dave’s situation, he rescues two defenseless
young boys from a pedophile; he was defending the children’s lives since he is
aware how it feels being helplessly trapped in the backseat of a man’s car.
Dave’s actions are justifiable – he is not killing due to uncontrollable outrage
or because he is mentally unstable. He is being the superman for the victims.
The superman he never had as a child.
Unfortunately, a burden is cast over Dave forcing
him to live in fear and uncomfortably for the remainder of his life. His two
childhood friends, Jimmy and Sean, stand on an opposite spectrum, one of guilt
and dishonesty. They are both present during the abduction, but permit Dave to leave
in order to save themselves. Similarly, after Jimmy murders Dave, the two men share
a smile and effortlessly move Dave to a part of their memories. Not an ounce of
justifiable innocence is present in either of the two characters.
How unfortunate that Dave dies although he is innocent the whole time! Dave experiences more traumatic incidents than Sean and Jimmy such as getting abducted as a child and killing a pedophile. I agree with Sam that his actions to save a young boy and to murder the pedophile are justifiable because “he is being the superman for the victim”. Unlike Dave, Sean can not claim innocence because he allows Jimmy to get away with his hideous crime of murdering Dave, even though he is a cop. Jimmy becomes too confident in himself since he definitely believes that Dave is Katie’s killer despite being close friends. Both Sean and Jimmy betray Dave, who died for being a hero to a young boy and for letting his innocence take him away.
ReplyDeleteAccompanying a successful murder, Dave's burden illuminates throughout the community. Since the people close to him draw the conclusions that he kills Katie, a feeling of guilt encompasses his actions and makes him appear to be guilty. I agree with Sam in saying Dave can claim innocence. His alleged friends do not protect him as a child and do not support him as an adult. His acts of selflessness manifest when he admits to killing Katie when he actually did not.
ReplyDeleteSean and Jimmy do not have any justifiable innocence. The entire story revolved around a damaged man's, Dave, attempt to prevent kids from going through what he did as a child. Dave is the most deserving of forgiveness and is the most innocent. Sean and Dave are guilty of wrong doings.
ReplyDeleteNot only in the final scene was Dave's innocence a flaw, but in the first scene as well. The man pretending to be a cop took advantage of Dave's innocent belief that any man with a badge is a cop. This initiates to events of the entire story, ultimately ending with Dave's innocence being his downfall.
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