Jail violence? Check. Neighborhood violence? Check. Internal violence? Check. Numbness? Yeah, that too. The thing about violence is that it's like a rubber band around the wrist. The first time you yank it and let go, it hurts, but after twenty times, it doesn't hurt so much anymore. Steve can't imagine numbing out to the violence that surrounds him in jail, yet he grew up with it in the neighborhood, and no big deal. Where does that numbness begin?
Questions About Violence
- Is violence necessary for survival?
- Do you agree with Steve's assessment of the reason for violence behind bars? Why or why not?
- When does numbness to violence begin? Can it be stopped? Should it be stopped?
- Why didn't Steve join in the violent acts of his friends or fellow inmates?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Steve's callous reaction to violence in his neighborhood resulted in his involvement with the crime.
Steve's disgust with inmate violence proves that he was incapable of committing the crime.