Random Thoughts/Word That Speak To You

Words That Speak To You 

            The piece I chose to examine was taken from one of my favorite movies The Boondock Saints. The movie is about a pair of twin brothers that believe they have been recruited to carry out the Lords work and rid South Boston of scumbags by killing them off one by one. There is a family prayer that the twins say after every killing so as to bless the victims. I picked one of the final dialogues of the film to analyze because I feel it conveys the message the brothers are striving for best.

            I think these words are best spoken or listened to because the brothers alternate sentences and then finish by speaking in unison. However, since the assignment was to read and analyze the words I will do just that.

            Essentially the brothers are declaring that they are not asking for the meek so as to help them directly but for the crooked to be taught a lesson, that lesson being death and the brothers acting as the reaper. The words used are forceful and strong without being riddled with profanity however there is mention of killing and rape in the same sentence: “Do not kill, do not rape, do not steal, these are principals which every man of every faith can embrace.” This shows the principles that the brothers are fighting for as well. An example of the vivid imagery used is as follows: “With every breath, we shall hunt them down. Each day we will spill their blood till it rains down from the skies.” This line also shows the lengths they will go to in order to “carry out thy command”; complete the task they have been asked to do by God.

         Although they are fighting against the immoral the brothers do not insist that they be viewed as moral “There are varying degrees of evil, we urge you lesser forms of filth not to push the bounds and cross over into true corruption, into our domain.” They fight for what they feel is a good and just cause while still knowing that they too are doing bad things.

            The construction of the writing is very much like that of a religious sermon, speaking of the poor, hungry, tired and sick and ending with a catholic prayer: “And shepherds we shall be, for thee my Lord for thee, power hath descended forth from thy hand, that our feet may swiftly carry out thy command. We shall flow a river forth to thee, and teeming with souls shall it ever be. In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti (In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit).” This prayer structure conveys the meaning to the reader that what the brothers are fighting for is a just and good cause. The religious undertones express salvation and pardon from wrongdoing and not only save the brothers from God’s wrath but also punish the victims for their transgressions.