Bandits and Outlaws

Image from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonnie

I thought this week's lecture on bandits and outlaws was really interesting. I don't know about any one else but i find myself alternating between thinking they were really bad people who deserved what they got, feeling sorry for them because they were doing the best they could to survive in the era they grew up in and were often set up as scapegoats in order to improve the crime ratings, and quite admiring their bravery and audacity.

Part of the admiration stems from probably wishing i could do something daring and exciting, therefore there is a vicarious element to it, and part of it stems from the idea that some bandits, reportedly, stole from big businesses or rich landowners and helped others less fortunate. In this sense it appeals to the idea of standing up for the little guy, or looking after one's own, and that rather appeals to me. In such a dog eat dog world, i would rather be fighting the corner for the underdog than the topdog.

I also believe that the more oppression and stress that is forced upon people the more they will come back fighting and i think that is, in part, what happened with some bandits like Bonnie and Clyde, they didn't feel they could ever win against the big businesses or the law, so decided to go down fighting. Better to live one day as a tiger than a life time as a worm, isn't that the saying? Their lives may have been short but their legend lives on and who is to say that it's better to live a long life but be remembered for nothing? That's rather sad isn't is?

Of course, there is the argument that innocent people died at their hands and this is where i swing back to thinking bad of them again, after all if they didn't break the law they wouldn't face the difficulties. But then again, in the heart of a depression survival instincts, anger and resentment all start to kick in and make a lethal brew.

I guess my conclusion would be that i disliked some of their "bad" behaviour but don't necessarily judge them as bad people. I don't wish to judge people when i have no idea how i would behave in similar circumstances or faced with certain difficulties. So there we go...totally sitting on the fence. What does any one else think?? Check out my links, there is some really interesting stuff, like the original crime records, witness accounts etc.

In response to Pragati's blog at http://vampyrmistress.blogspot.com/

Hi,
Like you i really enjoyed the Bandits and Outlaws lecture but agree it is definitely not all black and white. I think people tend to sympathise with those outlaws that attempted to help those less fortunate, even though strictly speaking they were all criminals, and largely murderers. I don't know about you but i found myself really sympathising with some of them when i read about their lives. Bonnie and Clyde particularly touched a nerve..i think it was probably the romantic element that swung it, but i also like the idea of someone really fighting for what they believe in and going down fighting. It is easy sometimes to automatically judge the underdog as the baddie, the working class hero, the kid from the wrong side of the blocks; there's often the call to bring back corporal punishment etc. But often the big businessmen, the aristocracy, the rich and famous are just as big villians but when they do anything it's a smack on the wrist. How many politicians and big businessmen have abused their power, misappropriated funds, or conducted dodgy dealings under the safety of a legitimate business? We have to remember there are always two sides to a story.

Love your blog btw

Regards, Claire