Upon reading Mary Barton, I have drawn the conclusion that Mary Barton is at a “crossroads”. In this context, crossroads means being in a situation that requires a very important choice to be decided before one can move forward. Mary has learned that her father John Barton has murdered Harry Carson but because he used Jem Wilson’s gun, Jem is now wanted for this crime. This is a very tough place to be because if Mary decides to protect her father, Jem will be charged for a murder he didn’t commit. On the other hand, if Mary defends Jem, she would be betraying her father.
This situation is a combination of moral and ethical boundaries because how does one make the decision between protecting one’s father versus the man you want to marry. The morality in this situation is that if Mary was to protect Jem, and do all she can to prove his innocence her father and other family members could disown her for going against family. I feel Mary’s father would disown her because since Esther ran away, he’s blamed her for the effects it had on his wife and their family. When Mary, John’s wife died doing …show more content…
Therefore the ethical reasoning behind Mary coming forth helping prove Jem’s innocence does not just shadow the love she has for him but also because Mary is still trying to understand her father’s reasoning for murdering Harry. She is baffled and shocked because she knows her father didn’t know of the relationship she shared with Harry but she also doesn’t know the Harry’s death was a sacrifice done to represent the grievances against the mill owners. In defiance of ethics, I feel Mary should continue with her investigation and doing everything in her power to get Jem a proper lawyer but also an alibi and witnesses that will testify on his