VIOLENCE, VICTIMHOOD, AND MORAL BLAME IN NINETEEN MINUTES BY JODI PICOULT

Abstract

This article explores the moral and psychological dimensions of violence, victimization, and moral guilt depicted in Jodi Picoult's The Nineteen Minutes. Through a detailed analysis of the story structure, character development, and key scenes, the study reveals how the novel complicates the roles of the victim and the perpetrator. Drawing on ethical literary criticism, it explores the social, familial, and emotional factors that contribute to school violence, encouraging reflection on fairness, empathy, and accountability in personal and social settings.