Do you recall the last time someone did you wrong?
If it was a minor infraction, you were probably mad for a bit and then let it go.
If it was a bit more serious you probably had to say something, or possibly even felt like yelling a screaming a bit. The more volatile of us may even punch something.
But if someone did something terrible to you or someone you love, or you were to witness atrocities of the innocent, chances are you would want revenge. Not giving the evil-doer a good talking to or helping them get on the right track, most likely you would want to see them suffer.Or at least hear something relatively wicked happened to them.
We hate the endings of books or movies that leave us hanging, especially if the bad guy does not get his due.
Oh the lovely feeling of satisfaction when a cheating husband is caught, and it is even more lovely if he is caught by not only the wife, but a film crew, and his other girlfriend. Same with a cheating wife. Or one of those vile people who neglect or abuse their animals. Of course we love to see the animal saved and in the arms of a new and loving owner, but it's so much better when they hunt down the abuser and he has to pay. I think one of the reasons reality television is gaining popularity is we get to experience the satisfaction of the bad guys going down.
It does not mean we are awful to love the thought of revenge. In fact according to the following article it is unusual for a person to NOT feel vengeful when they are wronged--it is probably a sign they are repressing true feelings.
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=2831618&page=1
I do not think I could personally injure someone who has done me wrong, but I have never been pushed to my limits. I've attached a link to my short story Absorbed that is listed as free for the next week on Smashwords. It is a dark and twisted tale of a love gone very wrong, with a few tricks.
Hope you like it. :)
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/96160
I think the best moment was when my boss was fired, a mere 3-4 months after she fired me--na-na-na-na-na!
ReplyDeleteI have never harmed someone who has harmed me, but I am afraid of the rage I would feel if someone were to harm say, my sister, or my nephews. That would be a bad day for the harm-er! Hopefully that never comes to pass!
ReplyDelete... I need to check out Absorbed!
I know what you mean Aniko...
ReplyDeleteIt would be much worse if it were someone else for me too...my son or family...not good. Absorbed was the first short story I ever wrote...I like the idea, will have to go back and check out my writing...eek. :)
I don't think I'd be capable of self-restraint if someone harmed my nearest and dearest. However, I do take pains to sort of "back away" from a situation in which I feel I've been done wrong - you know, it's so easy to misinterpret things (like e-mail, for example), that I really work at not responding in the heat of the moment.
ReplyDeleteI think one of the reasons we find fictional comeuppances so satisfying is because they just don't really seem to happen in reality. (At least, in my experiences, everything that goes around just seems to keep going around. The baddies don't necessarily pay for their misdeeds. Not on this plane of existence, anyway.)
Some Dark Romantic
Geez they do keep on going, don't they Mina!
ReplyDeleteAnd as for over-reacting too quickly, I have been guilty of that and have lived to regret it. Nothing earth-shattering, but I know what you mean. And I think the older I get the more apt I am to give someone a free pass.
I would like to one day see someone get pulled over after they cut me off or speed past me on the highway...
Your class sounds so great--wish my son could attend--wish I could attend!!
ReplyDeleteI don't think any of us really knows what we would do unless put into a specific situation. Although I think it is safe to say that as parents we would probably destroy anyone who messed with out kids...or at least mess them up a bit.
Funny you mention The Cask...saw The Raven last night and it was part of the movie.
I love Poe and I like John Cusack--he seemed a bit modern for the part though--but I still liked the movie.
Take your time getting to Absorbed. It was one of the first short stories I attempted. Would love your opinion.