Comparing Brother, Victim, Criminal

Within the poem, “Brother, Victim, Criminal” , the author dramatizes two adverse conceptions; justice and mercy. Unique to this poem the speakers come forth twofold; the brotherless man, and the policeman perspective. By having two speakers, two points of view are available. Although both points of view are biased, the reader can form their own opinion in good conscience having heard both sides. Within the poem itself the two speakers retell an event that was deeply impactful on both of them. The brotherless man presents himself as the one in which the reader may emotionally attach oneself to allowing the reader to,”[feel] numb” alongside him while the policeman allows the reader to see the obligation behind such a seemingly deplorable act by,[taking] comfort in knowing[there is]/One less criminal on the loose”. Even though both speakers have two very different points of view, their reason for writing and the way they wrote

Both speakers are compelled to write because such a life altering event has affected them so harshly they will carry both the situation and its effects with them as long as time endures. As the brotherless man begins to speak, he weaves in his thoughts and feelings. The reader can feel his anguish and hurt, the speaker feels as if, ” the world has ended. [because]Joel, my brother is no more” This is very important in the intensification of his argument and works well as the reader is swayed to his side almost immediately by the democratic appeal of his diction. Conversely as the policeman begins to explain his motive, he begins by,”standing at the scene of the shooting”. The policeman frames his argument around facts rather than on emotions. The brother's emotions however are more than half of his argument. The brother feels sad and empty as well as betrayed. The very system that has sworn to protect all now come to his door