Scythe Chapter 19 - A Terrible Thing to Do

Chapter 19: A Terrible Thing to Do

Citra's Confession and Reflection

• Citra feels a surprising closeness to Scythe Curie after witnessing her compassion towards grieving families, prompting her to discuss a troubling past incident.

• Citra confronts Scythe Curie about an accusation of lying made during the conclave, revealing the weight of her guilt over a childhood incident.

• She admits to pushing another girl in front of a truck, expressing regret and shame for the act that led to the girl's temporary death.

• Despite the girl returning to school shortly after, Citra grapples with the reality that no one knew what truly happened, deepening her sense of isolation and guilt.

• Scythe Curie's calm response suggests understanding rather than judgment, indicating that she recognizes the complexity of human actions.

The Impact on Rhonda

• The narrative shifts to Rhonda receiving unexpected visitors at home; her mother's distress signals something serious is amiss.

• Rhonda encounters two figures at her door—a scythe and an apprentice—who initially evoke fear but clarify they are not there for gleaning.

• The scythe's smile surprises Rhonda, challenging her preconceived notions about their demeanor as somber figures in society.

• As they converse, Rhonda learns that Citra is connected to a pivotal moment from her past involving an accident with a truck.

• This revelation stirs mixed emotions in Rhonda as she recalls being labeled "Rhonda roadkill" after surviving the incident.

Confrontation with Past Trauma

• Citra reveals she pushed Rhonda intentionally during their school days, confirming long-held suspicions that it was not an accident.

• This admission brings forth memories for Rhonda; despite initial shock, she finds herself smiling at this acknowledgment of truth from someone who once caused her pain.

• Their conversation highlights themes of accountability and reconciliation as both characters navigate their shared history.

Citra's Confession and the Weight of Guilt

Citra's Request for Revenge

• Citra expresses a sense of relief in revealing her long-held secret, indicating she feels vindicated that she wasn't crazy all these years. She apologizes to Rhonda and proposes an unusual way to make amends: asking Rhonda to push her in front of a truck.

Rhonda's Reaction

• Rhonda is taken aback by Citra's request, questioning whether she truly wants to be thrown in front of a speeding truck. Despite her initial shock, she considers the proposal seriously.

The Temptation of Revenge

• Reflecting on past grievances, Rhonda contemplates how many times she wished harm upon others. She recalls a near incident with a lab partner but ultimately decides against acting on her darker impulses.

A Change of Plans

• After considering the logistics and timing, Rhonda suggests postponing the act of revenge for another day due to prior commitments. Citra agrees and instead proposes going out for lunch as an alternative.

Reflection on Childhood Resentments

• As Citra leaves, she feels both relieved and humiliated about confronting her childhood resentment towards Rhonda. She reflects on how petty their past grievances were and realizes that what once felt significant has become trivial over time.

The Burden of Guilt in a World Without Death

The Nature of Mortality

• Citra muses about how different life would have been if they lived in an age where mortality was prevalent. She acknowledges that pushing someone would have been akin to murder back then.

Scythe Curry’s Insight

• Scythe Curry points out that Citra’s penance for her childhood act is now being a scythe, tasked with taking lives as punishment for what happened during their youth. This raises questions about self-imposed guilt versus actual accountability.

The Complexity of Punishment

• Citra contemplates whether accepting the apprenticeship was indeed a form of self-punishment for her past actions. She reflects on how societal consequences would have been far less severe had she confessed at the time.

The Role of Conscience

• Scythe Curry suggests that unlike most people who might forget such incidents after revival, Citra carries the weight of her conscience which influenced Scythe Faraday’s choice in selecting her as an apprentice.

Surveillance and Accountability

• They discuss the Thunderhead's omniscience regarding human interactions while emphasizing its ethical use compared to historical abuses before it achieved consciousness. This leads them into deeper philosophical discussions about morality and oversight within society.

The Implications of Knowledge

Understanding Human Behavior

• The conversation shifts toward how the Thunderhead observes human behavior without exploiting this knowledge like previous systems did before its evolution into power.

Historical Context

• They reflect on humanity's history with information abuse leading up to civilization nearly collapsing due to privacy violations, contrasting it with current practices under Thunderhead governance which are seen as more ethical.

Speculation About Past Events

• Finally, Citra ponders whether there might be records related to Scythe Faraday’s last moments available through Thunderhead surveillance—questioning if his death was truly an act driven by self-cleansing or something else entirely.

What If Faraday's Death Was Premeditated?

The Nature of Murder and Human Life

• The speaker reflects on the possibility that Faraday's death was a premeditated act, drawing parallels to Citra's earlier actions with Ronda. This suggests a deeper moral complexity surrounding the act of murder.

• The speaker critiques historical views on murder, highlighting how society once deemed the intentional ending of life as the most heinous crime, showcasing humanity's hypocrisy in valuing life while simultaneously condemning those who take it.

• Acknowledges nature’s role in human mortality, stating that being born is akin to receiving a death sentence. This perspective challenges traditional views by suggesting that humans have transcended natural laws through their actions.

• Emphasizes that scythes (those who end lives) should be revered similarly to majestic natural wonders, indicating a shift in societal values where taking life is seen as part of a greater purpose rather than merely an atrocity.

• Concludes with the assertion that humanity has become a force greater than nature itself, which redefines the relationship between humans and mortality.