why is the new hangman in the play the new hangman mistreated in the society for doing this job
Answers
Answer:
Explanation:
In this play, unusual hero, the new hangman, refuses to carry out his share of work at the execution of a criminal. His revolt is against the inhumanity of taking a man‘s life in cold blood and the injustice of foisting such a terrible duty on a fellow man. Though shocked and embarrassed by the unexpected behaviour of the new hangman, everyone in the prison is secretly relieved.
Summary of The New Hangman
The action of the one-act play takes place in the office of a prison. The Governor of the jail is told about the arrival of the new hangman. He is also informed that the Deputy Sheriff would be attending the impending hanging. The Chaplain has also been informed about the hanging which is taking place after twenty minutes.
The prisoner is a bit restless and is crying. He vomits his breakfast. Then he is given two drinks which make him feel better. The Governor directs to give him a third drink if he wants. Meanwhile, the Chaplain who is drunk comes. He has to be present at the hanging but he feels disgusted and indecent to be present at a hanging.
The new hangman informs the chaplain not to worry as he is not going to hang the prisoner. He considers hanging as the dirtiest job as it is without all honour and respect. By refusing to do the hanging in the nick of time, he saves the life of a man because no one else is ready to hang
the prisoner. The Governor is forced to report the matter to the Commissioner who informs the Governor that he would seek advice from the Home Office. The new hangman, therefore, goes away.
Outside the prison, a large crowd is waiting. When the hangman comes out, they cheer. The Hangman tells them everything that has happened as a result of his refusal to execute. The crowd makes a lot of noise and indulges in repeated cheering.
Theme/message
The theme of this play is that capital punishment should be abolished. The author is strongly opposed to capital punishment. He considers it to be something like a murder.
He believes that the judgment against a criminal might not be the right one. The hangman says that the last time he assisted a hangman and they hanged a man who, he believed, was innocent. The others did not. But if the jury had been made to come and see their verdict carried out, they would have realized that the truth shows clearer on the drop sometimes than in the witness-box. If it was part of the law that judges and juries must be in at the death, there would be more acquittals. By refusing to hang the criminal, he saves a life. He registers a strong protest against capital punishment. He is the mouthpiece of the author. The writer speaks his inner feelings against capital punishment through the hangman
Answer:
A prisoner is taken to be hanged during the arrival of the new hangman.
The prisoner is agitated and sobbing. He is then given two drinks that make him feel better. Meanwhile, the drunken Chaplain arrives. He is required to attend the hanging, but he finds it repugnant and indecent to do so.
The new hangman assures the chaplain that he will not be hanging the prisoner. He considers hanging to be the dirtiest job because it lacks all honour and respect.
By refusing to carry out the hanging in the nick of time, he saves a man's life because no one else is willing to hang the prisoner.
The Governor is compelled to report the incident to the Commissioner, who informs him that he will seek advice from the Home Office. As a result, the new hangman is no longer needed.
A large crowd has gathered outside the prison. They applaud when the hangman appears. The Hangman informs them of everything that has occurred as a result of his refusal to execute. The audience makes a lot of noise and cheers repeatedly.