Theme Of Moral Responsibility In The Bargain

In the short story The Bargain by Guthrie, Jr. moral responsibility is the topic of discussion on who is responsible for Slade's death. Morally responsible means to be deserving of blame for an act that was committed. Many believe that Slade is solely responsible for his own death, however, Mr. Baumer is morally responsible for the death of Slade because Mr. Baumer knew exactly what he was doing and he knew that Slade would drink out of the barrel if he thought it was liquor. Some may say that Mr. Baumer is not to blame; however, he has reasons to hate and want to commit murder against Slade. In the beginning of the story, Guthrie introduces the characters and how they act right away. Slade is extremely racist towards Baumer and he refuses …show more content…
Baumer did not intend to kill Slade when he sent him to retrieve a barrel of poison. I understand why some may think this, however, Mr. Baumer knew that slade would drink the poison and end up dieing. Mr. Baumer knew that Slade doesn’t know how to read and that he will drink the liquid from the barrel if he thinks that it is alcohol. We know this because at the end of the short story Mr. Baumer is talking to the protagonist telling him how important it is to know how to read. Mr. Baumer said “Then ye go home, Al. Is good to know to read”(Guthrie 11). Knowing that Baumer had an intense hatred toward Slade based on what he said here it is obvious that he knew what was going to happen when he sent Slade to go and get the barrel of poison. He knew Slade did not know how to read and he also knew that Slade would drink whatever was inside the barrel because he thought it was poison. Mr. Baumer had obviously intended to kill Slade knowing that Slade would drink the barrel of …show more content…
many believe that Slade is morally responsible for his own death. I understand why people believe this; however, they forget to consider that Mr. Baumer knew what he was doing and had intended to kill Slade. He knew Slade didn’t know how to read and he knew that Slade would drink from the barrel knowing that it was whisky. Mr. Baumer also had motive to kill Slade because Slade is racist towards him and he constantly steals from Mr. Baumer and refuses to pay any bill that is given to him. Knowing this about Mr. Baumer there is no question that he did this on purpose and he is morally responsible for the death of