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The Cycle Of Violence In Long Way Down

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Have you ever heard of a saying that goes “if someone kills your loved one, you must find them and kill them”? Well, that is an actual thing in the novel “Long Way Down”. Written by Jason Reynolds, this powerful novel has stories that are full of emotion. It all starts with the main character named Will. His brother Shawn was unfortunately killed, and Will is determined and pressured to find his brothers killer and murder them. While on his journey to get revenge for his brother, he encounters people he used to know that have passed away due to violence. They tell Will their stories and explain how the cycle of violence ended their lives too soon. The cycle of violence is essentially a pattern of dangerous acts committed by people within the same community, that result in harming others or in some instances, death. The story “Long Way Down” shows cycle of violence in many ways throughout this story such as “The Rules” and Will hearing his loved one's powerful stories. …show more content…

Well, the rules in this story consist of one no crying, two no snitching, and three revenge. One of the rules that truly shows in the cycle of violence is rule three revenge. This rule in the book says, “If someone you love gets killed, find the person who killed them and kill them.” (Reynolds 33). This quote demonstrates that no matter what, you must get revenge for your loved one who has died by finding their killer. Not only does influence people to kill others but people in the story view this as amazing because it shows how “brave” one truly is. The Rules transpire throughout the story by everyone condoning the rules, and people being looked at as less than if they do not follow these rules. This can be why Will is so compelled and determined to kill Shawns

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“Killings”, Andre Dubus’ short story, revolves around a father who seeks vengeance against his son’s killer. The story is about the murders committed by Richard Strout and Matt Fowler in their attempt to get retribution and ease the pain in their hearts. The circle of killings is first caused by the murder of Matt Fowler’s son, Frank, by Richard, which leads to the retaliatory killing of Richard, by Matt. This infinite, unforgiving circle of killings and attempts at retribution is what Dubus portrays in a nonjudgmental view. The readers are left to see how the act of killing affects Richard and Matt and decide how much their retribution costs them.

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Rule number three is revenge, and while explaining his revenge plan, Mikey reveals, “ I didn’t know he wasn’t the right guy,/ I was sure that was Mark’s killer./ Had to be” (Reynolds, 220). The Rules are expected to be followed, which is why Mikey thought he had to kill someone. Being so intimidated by this, he was horrified when he realized he killed the wrong guy.

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90.65% of homicides are revenge related. 100% of those happen because of emotional hurt or hatred. Will leaves in a rough neighborhood. His actions are dictated by three rules. His brother dies and he’s faced with the decision of killing his brother’s murderer or letting him walk.

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His brother Shawn died following those rules, so why should Will have the onus of taking revenge for him and have that target on his back? Besides, he didn’t make The Rules and multiple members of his family died following them. Up until his brother’s death, the third rule hadn’t meant anything to him. Now Will decides between continuing the path of violence and revenge created by generations before him, or breaking that chain and setting

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Andre Dubus, short stories contain a common theme of revenge, morality, and justice. In “Killings” published in 1979, Andre displays the theme of revenge and justice through the development of characters, the title of the story, and the thrill of the suspense. Dubus neglects to take sides with the characters in the “Killings”, which leaves it upon the readers to make assumption whether the killings were justifiable. Dubus has a very unique style of writing, the main characters in “Killings” were given a choice that could’ve led them to a completely different outcome. Dubus keeps the readers on their toes because the opposite usually ends up happening.

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They are crazy for thinking that these rules were reasonable and should be followed. This ties into the cycle of violence, because it describes its origin. The people in Will’s community who are often perceived as “cool'' or the ideal societal member, follow irrational societal expectations, and therefore, they are crazy. These people are often the ones to partake in lots of violence and then become a part of the cycle of violence. This comes to show that the cycle of violence in Will’s community is fueled by such people, who are thought to be role models but are

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and it’s clear that the theme is the cycle of violence. For example, Will was taught “the rules” by and the rules are no crying, no snitching, and always get revenge. The rules keep generations in a cycle of violence. During the story Will sees how the riles and the cycle of violence have the ghosts in the elevator. In Jason Reynold’s, fictional novel entitled Long Way Down, he argues that the cycle of violence can be stopped by doing the right way instead of getting revenge on someone.

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The demonstration of the narrator's imagination unconsciously leads his own thoughts to grow into a chaotic mess that ultimately ends in a death. By murdering, it’s his own way of finding peace. He is portrayed as being a sadist, sick man with an unnatural obsession for

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For example, Will’s father was meant to follow The Rules and avenge Uncle Mark by killing his killer. He ended up killing the wrong person, and later dying at a payphone. His story shows Will that he may also not know the right person who actually killed Shawn and end up going through what his father did. The Rules caused him to be angry and violent, and how this cycle of violence won’t end as long as The Rules are still in place. Dani, who was Will’s childhood friend, also was in the elevator.

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What is violence? Violence is, as described by Google,”behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something. Strength of emotion or an unpleasant or destructive natural force. And the unlawful exercise of physical force or intimidation by the exhibition of such force.” Both 1984 by George Orwell, and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley have violence threaded throughout each novel.

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