Ondskan

Comments by students from N. Zahles gymnasium

1) Erik is not like the other boys. He's from a different environment, has a different upbringing. He's used to being beaten up, he can blot out the pain and ignore the older boys' harrassment. Erik has an identity conflict. He has difficulties accepting his violent side, and is actually trying to suppress this side of himself. He has a sense of morality and won't accept injustice.

2) Pierre respects Erik and admires his strength and his ability to stand up for himself. Erik is Pierre's first true friend. They are equals. Erik recognizes that Pierre is intelligent and admires him for it.

3) Erik's stepfather is a horribly traumatized "small" person, who gets a kick/power rush when he beats up Erik. He needs to prove to himself who the boss is. He needs to release his aggressions on someone weaker, to feel in control. The fact that he is a waiter makes him the submissive one at work, so at home he needs to show that he has the power.

4) The mother plays the piano and tries to close her eyes to this abuse. She should stand up and not be afraid of being alone with her son. But she feels "safe" with a husband. She should have said NO, but considering the period in which this film takes place, perhaps she could not have done so much. However, it doesn't seem as if she is even trying to prevent it.

5) It is a positive thing because then he doesn't have to go home to his stepfather. He uses the physical punishment to build up muscles. He has a better chance of meeting and spending time with Marja without anybody finding out. He also reads/studies.

6) The teachers turn a blind eye. They ignore what is going on at the school. They are weak and lack a sense of morality. They are supposed to be role models for the boys, but they are afraid of being fired if they question the boys' behaviour. The swim teacher tries to make a difference through Erik, encourages him to fight back and change the system, but it is not enough.

7) Erik is a winner in many different ways: He gets an edcucation, he gets a friend, he defeats the "school society" and his stepfather, and he finds values in life.

8) In the beginning he beats up other boys for the fun of it and to get some of his aggressions out. At Stjärnberg he learns to control his anger. He gains respect without using violence and he succeeds in life. He feels he has a future.

9) When children are constantly afraid they have so many things on their mind that they are not able to concentrate in school, especially if they are weak and insecure children. A good teacher is someone with a sense of justice who is not afraid to confront unpleasant subjects. A good school is a school where you can feel free to be yourself, where there is no power system between different classes.

10) Pierre tells Erik about Ghandi who created peace in India and independence for India in a non-violent way. In the 70s people made "sit down demonstrations", e.g. blocking the traffic. No violence was used.

11) The movie shows that violence gives power. Som people use it in the wrong way and as a result of that they scar people for life. Erik finds a way to use it against people that use violence to harm others. The problem is that he has to use violence, he cannot defeat the system by peaceful means!

12) The movie itself does not justify violence. But when you see it, you feel that the prefects deserve what they get.