Is it okay to lie?

Throughout the novel Trash many characters have been seen lying for their own reason. Some of the lies were by the three main characters or the three dump site boys if you will. The main reason behind their lies was for survival in their life of poverty and also to bring justice by straightening out the mystery set in the book. One of the first of the tall tales from the boys told was when they wanted to use the computer and had to lie to Father Juilliard in order to do so. They needed to search up about Jose Angelico to learn more about him, however they told Father Juilliard that they were researching for a quiz. The next lie they made was by Raphael when he lied to his aunt about the bag, about being safe and a whole lot of things related to what the police wanted. The reason for this lie was that he didn’t want his aunt to worry. Another lie they made was when the boys needed Sister Olivia to take him to the prison to see Gabriel Olondriz. But instead of telling her the truth about wanting to see Gabriel Olondriz, Gardo told Sister Olivia that he needed to see his grandfather who was in prison. This lie was made because they urgently needed to see Gabriel Olondriz to figure out the mystery. Raphael also has a reputation of lying to the police in this book. The first time he lied was when he told the police that he did not find a bag when he actually did, instead he told them that all he found was shoe. He also told a series of lie when he was being interrogated by the police. He believed that these fibs had to be made in order to protect what they have and solve the mystery.

Other than the boys, the police have also been seen lying in the book. The police use lying negatively and only in selfish situations where they are too lazy to do what they’re supposed to. For example, the reward they offered for the finding of the bag they were looking for was probably a lie they made to get what they want. That reason is the main reason the police in Trash lie. They lie to get what they want so they keep their name clean and to speed up the process of doing their job. They also never revealed or shed some truth over what they want with the bag and the belongings of Jose Angelico or in fact what happened to him.

Lying isn’t a very good thing to do but in certain dire situations it is essential for some to lie. The example of survival earlier is a good example. Without lying sometimes Raphael, Gardo, Rat and all the other people of Behala might not still be alive. Another good excuse to lie is when it is for the greater good, unlike how police use the power of lying. The police in this book demonstrate a good example why NOT to lie.