The 57 Bus

The 57 Bus

by

Dashka Slater

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on The 57 Bus makes teaching easy.

The 57 Bus: Part 4: The People vs. Richard Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Bill Du Bois thinks restorative justice “is a distraction.” He “loves their program,” but in Richard’s case the suggestion is “absurd.” They can all complete restorative justice, Du Bois says, but it will do nothing to lessen Richard’s sentence. The DA, Nancy O’Malley, refuses as well. “We cannot ignore what he did,” she says.
Slater argues that the true absurdity is adhering to a legal process that is largely ineffective and excessively expensive. Restorative justice does not “ignore” what Richard has done—it forces him to face his actions, and his victim, head-on.
Themes
Accountability, Redemption, and Forgiveness Theme Icon