This novel tells a true story. This is so crazy that the story does not need to be made up because, in reality, the most unbelievable and the most cruel things can just happen.
After reading this book, I really want to say every person could be bad or good. It really depends on what they have been through and their surroundings. The society is the one who can destroy them and blame on individuals. Dorda! The “psychotic”, the “animal”, okay, well he hears voices randomly inside his head all the time, he hates police to that extreme level. But if he was treated properly since young, being protected and understood, will he grow up and end up becoming that crazy killer? His family and the hospital will not take the responsibility, not to even mention the society, the system! Such a poor guy, Dorda…. The other character Blanca Galeano, the fifteen year old girl, wanting some love, care, gifts, so living with Mereles, doing drugs and ended up getting judged and humiliated. She is just a needy child but what others see is a crazy, bad girl with gangsters. People will see her problems, blame the criminal using her, but they will never say this is Blanca’s family’s fault or the society that actually provides no help to her. And now the society finally come and just judge her? This is horrible.
Also during the robbery on San Fernando Square, the one was just passing by, Diego Garcia. He is so innocent to experience this. 23 years old, but died because of this fight?! Well, it just made me feel like these kinds of real innocent victims actually always exist in some real-world crimes. But what people remember are always those polices, and criminals, but never someone like Diego Garcia. His death represents so many characters being neglected, but actually sacrificed.
The scene – burning money, making bills look like butterflies of light. Burning those money made people so mad, so angry. They think those criminals are crazy. Then how about thinking about those criminals getting ruined and destroyed by money? I really hate normal people just focus on the outcome, focus on what they see but they hardly think about the cause. Money can destroy other people, which is totally fine, but they cannot destroy money? Or else those other people will be angry and think this is crazy. Who is crazy? Every one can be criminals. Everyone can be victims as well. I really feel like this is the society’s problem.
So my question is: should
we blame more on the society, the
structure when something like this happen?
Melissa:
ReplyDeleteI like your point on people being good or bad depending on their surroundings. It reminds me on the concept of tabula rasa, and how people are 'made to be bad' often owing to the empirical experiences that they have had in life (instead of it being innate).
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI actually quite like this perspective! I will say that I am one of the people who forgot about Diego Garcia amidst all the craziness of the book. I will say, I admire your ability to sympathize with Dorda! I am very much of the opinion that they were all just crazy
Hi, I was also quite shocked to learn that Money to Burn tells a true story. To answer your question, I think it is complex. There is no doubt that society has a role but in another way, it might be difficult to place blame or fault.
ReplyDeleteHi! I really agree with what you said about Dorda, but I feel like it can be contrasted with the Kid's backstory, and how he grew up rich/privileged but still fell into crime. So I'm asking the same question about society as you!
ReplyDelete