Money to Burn by Piglia: The Banality of Evil

Money to Burn by Ricardo Piglia allows readers to gain insight into the human condition that lies behind devious criminal acts. When we think about criminals (like bank robbers), we often instinctively label them as immoral and dangerous individuals. However, in this novel, Piglia moves beyond such a simplistic characterization and instead analyzes the robbers as complex individuals with unique backstories and emotional lives.

My interpretation of this novel was strongly influenced by ideas from a course I am currently taking: Law and Society. In this class, we examined Hannah Arendt’s concept of the Banality of Evil. Developed during the trial of Adolf Eichmann, Arendt argues that ordinary people who are not inherently monstrous can still participate in acts of great violence under certain circumstances - such as when they fail to think critically or question authority. For me, this concept connected with Piglia’s portrayal of the robbers. Although the robbers commit inexcusably violent crimes and harm innocent people, Piglia also emphasizes their emotional lives and personal relationships, which complicates the idea that they are intrinsically evil.

One character who embodies this idea is Gaucho Dorda. He is portrayed as extremely violent, yet the novel also reveals a human side to him through his relationship with Kid Brignone. When the Kid is dying, the two share an intimate moment: “Then the Kid raised himself up ever so slightly, leaning on one elbow, and murmured something into his ear which no one could hear, a few words of love, no doubt, uttered under his breath or perhaps left unuttered, but sensed by the Gaucho who kissed the Kid as he departed” (181). This moment highlights the emotional vulnerability that exists even within a character capable of extreme brutality.

Another important aspect of the novel is the symbolic decision by the robbers to burn the stolen money. After risking everything to get it, the choice to destroy it seems almost irrational? However, I think the act can interpreted as an uprising against the money-driven society in which they live. By burning the money, perhaps the robbers were rejecting the very value system that motivated their crime in the first place?

Overall, I think that Money to Burn challenges us to reflect on how we define morality, crime, and human nature. By humanizing individuals who commit violent acts, Piglia forces us to confront an uncomfortable question: if people capable of love and emotional connection can also commit terrible crimes, perhaps the boundary between inherently good and inherently bad people is not as clear as we might think...

A question for my peers: Can ordinary people commit horrific acts under certain circumstances, or do such actions make someone inherently evil?

Not much to say - the photo I've chosen for this book is quite representative of its title: