Today's appreciation of the day's history
Seo Jae-yong
Is forgiveness the answer?
(Forgiveness description)
By Lewis Smiths
Papillon is a film based on a true story.
The real-life protagonist played by Steve McQueen is...
He is the 'Henri Charère' of France.
In 1931, Henri, who was 25 years old, was drinking in Paris.
However, a murder occurred nearby.
Henri was innocently arrested as a murderer by a prosecutor blinded by performance.
The prosecutor successfully convicted Henri as a murderer by presenting false witnesses.
Henri wants to take revenge on the prosecutor who ruined his life.
He attempted to escape a whopping nine times but failed.
Finally, in 1944, his 14th year in prison,
At the age of 38, he escapes from Devil's Island.
The Papillon movie ends here.
The following is a true story that happened after he escaped.
After escaping, Henry fled to South America and worked around, accumulating money by doing all sorts of things.
According to French criminal law, the statute of limitations expires after 30 years.
In 1961, marking his 30th year, he returned to Paris at the age of 55.
It was to kill the prosecutor and false witnesses who ruined his life.
In Paris, he visited the streets he used to walk when he was young, the streets he walked with his parents, and the places he hung out with friends.
He gradually changes his mind as he walks the streets where he was framed and arrested as a murderer.
He prayed to God.
"God, I will give up revenge and forgive you."
"In return, please ensure that such tragic events as mine do not happen again."
And he says this to himself.
You won!
Henri Charrière!
You are free and loved.
"Yes, I am here as the protagonist of the future."
"Don't try to find out any further about how your enemy is living."
They are a part of the past, you are here.
Among those involved in this tragic event...
You are the happiest person.
Henri Charrière is...
In the place where I went for revenge, I was freed from the desire for revenge.
The final scene of the movie "Papillon" is an escape, but...
The real escape from Henri Charère's life is...
It was the moment I let go of my revenge.
It was his body that broke through the prison gates, but...
It was his soul that broke the chain of hatred.
People often think of forgiveness as a gift bestowed upon others.
However, if you look deeper,
Forgiveness is un.
Before letting go of the other person,
It is about letting go of the anger that has been holding onto my heart.
The moment you forgive the other person without punishing them,
It is something that can free me from the prison of my heart.
In the end, forgiveness is...
It's not about saying "it will let you go," but rather...
It might be a confession that says, "Now you're letting me go."
Today's famous quote
Forgiveness is un.
It is not a matter of justice.
Forgiveness is a matter of healing.
Absolute definition alone
I cannot heal the wounds and resentment within me.
Excerpt from 'The Art of Forgiveness' by Louise Smees
Quoted by James
(International PEN Poet 🖊)