At first glance, this
miniature wooden man – filthy looking with rotten teeth and holding a wickedly
curved knife, evoked such mixed responses in me. Even though I was repulsed by
his filth, the obvious agony in the man’s face and posture drew me in to take a
closer look. His hollow eyes reflected a man who had been stripped of
everything he held dear in life; a man whose spirit had been crushed by his oppressors.
The blade which he held so tight seemed like his last resort; violence was all
he could turn to after being subjected to great pain and suffering. This is
common to most helpless people whom we see around us in our everyday lives. For
example, homeless and deserted people who resort to committing all kinds of
crimes for a living. I believe that this sculpture carries a message worth
considering – Sometimes, violence could be the result of sheer helplessness.
So, to what extent can we pardon or even reason with such violence?
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