Dogville

Grace:
What is it, the thing...
the thing that you don't like about me?


Grace's dad:
lt was a word you used that provoked me
You called me arrogant


Grace:
To plunder as it were a God given right
l'd call that arrogant, daddy


Grace's dad:
But that is exactly
what l don't like about you
lt is you that is arrogant!


Grace:
That's what you came here say?
l'm not the one passing
judgment, Daddy, you are


Grace's dad:
No, you do not pass judgment because you sympathize with them
A deprived childhood and a homicide really isn't necessarily a homicide, right?
The only thing you can blame is circumstances
Rapists and murderers may be the victims according to you, but I call them dogs
and if they're lapping up their own vomit the only way to stop them is with the lash

Grace:
But dogs only obey their own nature
So why shouldn't we forgive them?


Grace's dad:
Dogs can be taught many useful things but not if we forgive them every time they obey their own nature


Grace:
So, I'm arrogant

I'm arrogant because
I forgive people?


Grace's dad:
My God

Can't you see how condescending you are when you say that?
You have this preconceived notion that nobody, listen that nobody can't possibly attain the same high ethical standards as you
so you exonerate them I can not think of anything more arrogant than that

You, my child...
my dear child
you forgive others with excuses that you would never in the world permit for yourself

Grace:
Why shouldn't I be merciful?
Why?


Grace's dad:
No, no, no You should,
you should be merciful
when there is time to be merciful But you must maintain your own standard
You owe them that You owe them that
The penalty you deserve for your transgressions
they deserve for their transgressions


Grace's dad:
- they are human beings

Grace's dad:
No, no, no
Does every human being need to be
accountable for their actions?
Of course they do
But you don't even give them that chance
And that is extremely arrogant
I love you, I love you
I love you to death
But you are the most arrogant person l have ever met
And you call me arrogant!
I have no more to say


Grace:
You are arrogant, I'm arrogant
You've said it, now you can leave