Best analysis of this chapter
Yeah in a world like theirs this should be the norm. Supplies are limited and not being replenished by factories and people that fabricate them. So finding medical supplies is harder than everything else. You can always make food but medical supplies? Nah they are super scarce...I understand why the father did what he did I do not blame either or. There were reasons for what gyuwon did. Specially the public execution. It's a simple example of actions have consequences and reasons and reasonings
I mean even in our world. In the military, it’s also like this. You don’t take medicine or food without express permission. Even hospitals have to carefully log the medication they use because they have a limited supply given to them. It’s everywhere. The fact that he’s against it is in a way him being an ineffective “peacekeeper”. Like people who glue themselves to the road. It’s not actually changing the system nor does it actually challenge the mindset of the masses. It’s just something they do to feel more righteous while completely overlooking the necessity of the current situation as well as the feelings of those who are forced to be the bearer of responsibility. I hope he apologises to gyuwon. You can see he didn’t wanna do it and he even hit himself as punishment for not being stricter and allowing this sort of insubordination to happen to begin with. Had the dude asked gyuwon, he might have given permission and taken personal responsibility from the dad if a hound needed that ration of medicine. It just sucks.
I understand the way they voted. I too would have voted with them since I understand why the law exists. The people outside are important since they bring back supplies and if one of them were to die, a villager would have to take their place. In order to maintain status-quo, they set aside provisions and medicine for those on the outside aka the hounds. In order for villagers to be safe on the inside, they need to make it worth it for the hounds. It’s an exchange like we do with our military and their discounts. That’s the part I understand.
What I don’t get is the bat. I can’t tell if it’s because they don’t want weapons in the camp so that no one can kill each other or if it’s cause gyuwon WANTS to feel every hit so he can continue to value a humans life accurately or if it’s cause he enjoys it or what. My best guess is that gyuwon uses a bat as a deterrent to others and himself. It’s brutal and slow and painful and he himself has to deal the blow so he himself is forced to confront the life he’s taken. It’s not like a bullet where you’re detached from your victim. You literally feel every single hit you land because at some point, you crack and break the skull and then you’re sinking deeper into flesh. It’s gross and bloody. Having everyone (adults) watch is like how many countries used to have public executions. This is all just speculation tho. I have no idea why he actually uses a bat.