Blog Post 1-15

Even though John Dillenger was a famous celebrity criminal, he still demanded respect. Even some on different sides as John Jr. thought that even though he was a criminal, he was still a decent man. Matera writes, "The note, sincere or not, deeply affected John Sr. "I smiled for the first time in years because maybe he'd won after all... Johnnie hadn't forgotten and now he was going to go straight" (Matera 99). John Dillenger Sr. had always paid attention to the news, he knew what his son was doing. He believed his son was a decent man. This arises the question; can a law-breaker be a decent man? John Dillenger robbed so many people of money, yet all it took to convince his father, was a quick little letter. Dillinger was a decent man who even quickly got along with anybody. Of course, this included the man who was his warden. Matera recalls, "Dillinger had grown to like the hefty, personable sheriff, and didn't want it to happen this way" (106). Dillinger didn't like to kill, no matter who it was. Later, he gets mad at the person who shot the sheriff. It is possible that a criminal can be a decent person. As long as they get what they deserve, it is right. Dillinger would eventually pay his debt.