The Pale Blue Eye

The Pale Blue Eye is a 2003 novel by American writer Louis Bayard. It was turned into a film adaptation in 2022 A world-weary detective is hired to investigate the murder of a West Point cadet. Stymied by the Cadets' code of silence, he enlists one of their own to help unravel the case - a young man the world would come to know as Edgar Allan Poe.[1]

One of the main themes of the book that resonated with me is the idea of loyalty. As a cadet at the PNPA, we are taught the importance of being loyal to our country, our fellow officers, and the oath we have taken to uphold the law. In the novel, we see this idea of loyalty explored through the character of Gus Landor, a retired New York City police detective who is hired to investigate a series of murders at West Point Academy. Landor's unwavering loyalty to the truth and his commitment to finding the killer, despite facing resistance from the authorities, is an example of the dedication we should have to our duties as police officers.

Another theme of the book that struck me was the idea of corruption. The novel portrays a world in which the corrupt actions of those in power can devastate ordinary people's lives. The character of Edgar Poe, for example, is a cadet who is willing to do whatever it takes to protect his interests, even if it means covering up a murder. This kind of behavior goes against everything that we, as future law enforcement officers, stand for. We must always strive to be honest, transparent, and accountable in our work, and to resist the temptation to engage in corrupt practices.

In the movie, Augustus Landor was blinded by his feelings. He wants to take revenge for the death of his daughter. Being the investigator of the case he diverted the killing of Leroy Fry to the family of Doctor Marquis. Her ill daughter Lea communicates with the devil and does rituals believing that it will cure her sickness. A part of this ritual requires a heart of a living person. And so, onto his next target Randolf Ballinger, he did the same thing but unfortunately, his cut to the chest of the victim is unprofessional the reason why Cadet Poe doubted the killer.

The book touches on the theme of obsession, specifically the obsessive nature of the human mind. Edgar Allan Poe, portrayed as a brilliant but troubled individual, struggles with his inner demons as he becomes increasingly obsessed with solving the murders at West Point Academy. As law enforcement officers, we need to be aware of the potential dangers of obsession, and to take steps to maintain our mental and emotional health.

In conclusion, "The Pale Blue Eye" is a novel that explores important themes that are relevant to our work as future law enforcement officers. It reminds us of the importance of loyalty, honesty, and integrity in our work, and serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of corruption and obsession. As a Cadet of the PNPA, we should strive to embody these values in our training and our future work as police officers. As a Cadet, I highly recommend this Movie.

Reference:https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14138650/