ShmoopTube

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Here's your Shmoop du jour, brought to you by crime and punishment. The crime part's

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always so much more fun than the punishment part.

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Based on its context in the passage, which of the following is the best definition for

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the word "impunity" in line 8?

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Our vocab word might be found in line 8, but it's line 9 that helps us to define it.

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When the narrator tells us, "A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its

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redresser," he's saying that if you get caught carrying out revenge...

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...then it doesn't count. So, basically, this guy thinks revenge is only successful

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if you get away with it.

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Now, all we have to do is find the answer that matches this idea.

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"Humility" is when somebody has a modest or low opinion of his or her self.

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Not only does this not fit the definition for which we're looking, it doesn't describe

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our narrator's ego- maniacal, revenge-obsessed personality.

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Choice (C) is the first on the chopping block. There's no doubt our narrator is enthusiastic

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about revenge.

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But choice (B) doesn't mention anything about escaping punishment, so it can be eliminated.

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The narrator would most likely agree that revenge should be carried out "with awareness

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and strong intention."

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This guy thinks revenge is something where... you've got to bring your A-game.

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Again, though, this choice doesn't match the definition we're looking for, making

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(D) a no-go. (A) fits the context to a tee. Seeing the

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word "punishment" even reminds us that the prefix "im" usually means "not."

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Having that in front of "punity," which looks a lot like "punishment," gives us

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a hint that "impunity" translates to "not punished."

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Why didn't we think of that before? Guess we're just not as enthusiastic about revenge

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as our narrator...

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