Finest Young Man in Rome Family, friends, money, honor, carrier, there are many important things in life. What people are willing to do to achieve their dreams and goals? Some of them would do anything to get what they really want. They would cheat, steal, and kill, just to be the best of all. Rufinus, the main character of Finest Young Man in Rome, by James Wright, have to decide how far he can go to serve his family. His mother wants him to kill his best friend, Manlius, to get the power. He has to choose between his mother, friend, honor, priesthood, and family. Whatever he decides, someone must be killed. He got three choices: he can kill his mother, his friend, or himself. Rufinus will kill himself because of his mother's conspiracy, love to his friend, and his honor.
The most important reason that Rufinus will kill himself is his mother's conspiracy.
Manlius, New York
English: Maeonius was a short-lived Roman usurper....Everything had change in his life so quickly. His father, whom he admired and respected, died in the battle. He became a new head of family. He got more responsibilities. He also had to accept a priesthood that he did not want. Rufinus found himself in a new, difficult situation. He wasn't ready for it. He did not expect anything like this to happen. Rufinus was confused and did not know what to do. He did not know who is telling the truth. He had believed that his father's death was an accident, but his mother tried to convince him that Manlius, his best friend, is responsible for it. He ordered him to pursue the Gauls, knowing that they were stronger than Romans. After his father's death, Manlius appointed someone from his own family instead of Rufinus' brother. This argument made Rufinus think about everything, again. He did not know whom to listen to his friend or his mother. Her conspiracy was very offensive and brutal. She wanted to kill Manlius, consul of Rome, and the best friend of her son.
Rufinus will rather kill himself than kill his best friend. Manlius was "the finest young man in the city". He was "accomplished soldier and administrator". He was the consul of Rome. Rufinus loved his friend. He admired and respected him. He never wanted to be competitors with him. He wanted to work together with him to accomplish things than they could not achieve alone. Rufinus did not want to betray his friend. After his mother reviled all harassing things about his friend, he could change his opinion. It was possible that his friend betrayed him and because of him his father is dead. Manlius could listen and serve his family. Rufinus was not sure of anything, but he would not do anything to harm Manlius.
The last reason that Rufinus will kill himself is because of his honor. He is very honorable man. He wouldn't do anything to dishonor himself. If would kill Manlius, he would not only lost his best friend but he would also harm all Romans who loved him. Manlius was a consul of Rome. Everyone admired him for his achievements. He was a good soldier, administrator and poet. Rufinus couldn't betray his friend even if he had already betrayed him. Rufinus would not kill his mother, either. She gave him life. It would be horror to kill her. By killing anyone, Rufinus would also violate his priesthood. He would dishonor himself. He rather chooses to kill himself than to live and blame him for something that he did.
In conclusion, Rufinus will kill himself because of his mother's conspiracy, love to his friend, and his honor. His mother did not have any feelings. She would do anything to serve her family. She did not care about anything or anyone. She convinced Rufinus that his father died because of his friend's decision. Rufinus would never harm his best friend. He wanted to work with him, not against him He did not want to compete with him. Rufinus admired and respected his friend. Also, honor was a very important thing in his life. His words, "I will do nothing which violates my honor, or contaminates my priesthood; and nothing which harms my friend Manlius" (p.81), show that the best way to get out from this nasty situation is killing himself.