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 opens by describing how Camus's father reacted emotionally to watching a man being executed for murder. Initially, his father was in full agreement with the verdict, but afterwards, he was left feeling shaken and disturbed.