The essay opens with a description of Camus's father's reaction to witnessing the execution of a convicted murderer. At first Camus's father fully supported the decision, but after witnessing the event he was left in a state of shock for several days.
The essay commences with a depiction of Camus's father's reaction to observing the execution of a convicted murderer. Initially, his father endorsed the decision, but after witnessing the event, he was left in a state of numbness for several days.