In Nineteen Minutes, Jodi Picoult offers the perspectives of many characters. We are able to see Peter's feelings, as well as the others involved both directly and indirectly with the shooting. One would expect to view Peter as the antagonist. After all, he went into his school and killed ten innocent students. But were they all truly innocent? By allowing us to learn about Peter's background as well as the other students, we are presented with all the facts, and deciding who is truly responsible for the violent attacks is now up to the readers.
Picoult demonstrates in her novel that there are two sides to everything. In this story, we begin to learn that often, the shooter is also the victim. As a reader, it was difficult for me to realize that I was sympathizing with the killer. But after hearing his story about how he was bullied both physically and mentally from elementary school all the way until high school, I felt just as bad for him as I did for the people hurt in the shooting. Picoult brings up the question, who has the right to judge someone else? Peter was threatened by others just like the students were by him the day of the shooting. He tells Josie, "everyone's saying I ruined their lives, but no one seemed to care when my life was the one being ruined" (134). Throughout his life, the bullying took a large toll on Peter and he felt unwanted and unsafe in his surroundings. Although he had no right to kill the people who were hurting him, after hearing his side of the story, one could also begin to understand why Peter went through with his violent actions.
This novel begins to shed light on why school shootings take place. Bullying is almost always one of the main causes. In the trial, Peter's lawyer explained to the jury the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This is the main reason that Peter was led to believe that he needed to kill his bullies in order to protect himself. Peter, although he is a fictional character, helps us recognize how kids who are bullied feel. They don't feel safe in their schools since they are surrounded by students who threaten them and hurt them on a daily basis. I'm not saying that I think that students who commit the terrible act of a school shooting should not be blamed. Of course they should. But at the same time, so should the bullies that have led them to that place.
Picoult demonstrates in her novel that there are two sides to everything. In this story, we begin to learn that often, the shooter is also the victim. As a reader, it was difficult for me to realize that I was sympathizing with the killer. But after hearing his story about how he was bullied both physically and mentally from elementary school all the way until high school, I felt just as bad for him as I did for the people hurt in the shooting. Picoult brings up the question, who has the right to judge someone else? Peter was threatened by others just like the students were by him the day of the shooting. He tells Josie, "everyone's saying I ruined their lives, but no one seemed to care when my life was the one being ruined" (134). Throughout his life, the bullying took a large toll on Peter and he felt unwanted and unsafe in his surroundings. Although he had no right to kill the people who were hurting him, after hearing his side of the story, one could also begin to understand why Peter went through with his violent actions.
This novel begins to shed light on why school shootings take place. Bullying is almost always one of the main causes. In the trial, Peter's lawyer explained to the jury the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This is the main reason that Peter was led to believe that he needed to kill his bullies in order to protect himself. Peter, although he is a fictional character, helps us recognize how kids who are bullied feel. They don't feel safe in their schools since they are surrounded by students who threaten them and hurt them on a daily basis. I'm not saying that I think that students who commit the terrible act of a school shooting should not be blamed. Of course they should. But at the same time, so should the bullies that have led them to that place.
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