Final answer:
The protest against the killings in 'The Hangman' poem ceases as fear and complicity overtake the community, mirroring real-life instances of silence in the face of injustice. This reflects the significant role silence plays in enabling injustice to continue without accountability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The poem 'The Hangman' by Maurice Ogden explores themes of responsibility and the consequences of silence in the face of injustice. In the context of the poem, the protest against the killings stops as more individuals are hanged and the community's fear overrides their moral objections, leading to a collective silence. This eerie quiet after the initial protests resonates with historical and contemporary instances where people have witnessed wrongdoings but remained silent, often due to fear, indifference, or the belief that speaking out would not change the situation. The silence that follows is a powerful instrument of complicity that allows evildoers to persist unchallenged.
In our own lives, we may encounter situations where silence prevails in the face of injustice, echoing the poem's themes. These moments can range from witnessing bullying without intervening to broader social issues where speaking out is seen as taboo or carries potential social risks. The importance of taking a stand, despite the potential consequences, is a message that resonates through 'The Hangman' and many real-life scenarios.