A Helpless Situation: Justifiable Revenge In The “Spanish Roulette” (Essay Sample)

Name Course Lecturer Date Justifiable Revenge in the “Spanish Roulette” Revenge is a form of retaliation from the affected party which has suffered pain, loss or injury from the other party. Revenge serves the purpose of making the other party to suffer similar or almost similar pain that was experienced by the avenger. Revenge is considered justifiable when the avenger induces almost similar pain or injury that was suffered. However, some actions cannot be avenged in similar magnitude that it was caused. For instance, how can rape, theft or a kidnap be avenged to be justifiable? The author uses the unfolding events in “Spanish Roulette,” to argue that revenge is justifiable in circumstances where the victim is helpless; the induced pain has long-term consequences to the victim, and justice from the existing institutions is not guaranteed. Revenge is justified in situations where the victim is helpless before the person who induced suffering or pain. For instance, Mandy was raped by Lino who is described by Willie as “crazy” because Lino and his gang would engage in criminal activities and go unpunished since he was feared by the authorities (Vega 502). Again, Sixto says that Mandy “was just fifteen” (Vega 503, Para. 48); this demonstrates that she was helpless and could not protect herself against Lino, or avenge for the rape since she was underage. In this perspective, Sixto feels that it is his responsibility to avenge for her helpless sister by attacking Lino. Revenge is justified when the induced pain or suffering to the victim is likely to cause undesirable long-term effects to the avenger. The “Spanish Roulette” depicts the story of rape where Mandy, who was raped by Lino, is likely to suffer psychologically and emotionally for her entire life if she realizes that Lino did not suffer from his actions. Vega says that Sixto is already suffering from an injury of not retaliating (505); the rape incident cannot be disclosed to his parents because Mandy will be punished for being careless. Hence, revenge becomes necessary to reduce the long-term effects of the act by consoling the victim that the perpetrator suffered the consequence of his or actions. Revenge is also justified when the existing institutions fail to avenge on behalf of the victims. For example, if the police are not capabl...